Following the outbreak of the Korean War, he was appointed as a commander of 34th Regiment, 24th Infantry Division.
His citation reads: The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Colonel (Infantry) Robert Reinhold Martin (ASN: 0-15953), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division.
Colonel Martin distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chonan, Korea, on 8 July 1950.
Observing enemy tanks and infantry in force penetrated his regiment's forward position, Colonel Martin, with total disregard for his own personal safety, rushed forward to organize and personally led rocket launcher and grenade attacks against the tanks and infantry at ranges of ten to twenty yards.
During this action Colonel Martin lost his life while single-handedly attacking an enemy tank with a rocket launcher at a range of about fifteen yards.Martin's military awards including Distinguished Service Cross are as belows[3] In Cheonan, there is a memorial - "Martin Park" - and a commemoration ceremony is held every year.