Martin Silva was born on November 12, 1924. He was the son of Jose Felix Silva and Elvira Carrasco Silva.

Martin served in the 849th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Left Waist Gunner on the B-17 #43-38132 "Old Patch" during World War II. He was Killed in Action on January 10, 1945, when his plane was shot down by flak during a mission over Cologne, Germany. Of the crew members, five were killed in the crash, and four were taken as prisoners.

SSgt Silva is now buried in the Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, USA.

B-17 #43-38132 crew:
1Lt Walter McGrath - Pilot (KIA)
1Lt Ellington Wiltshire - Co-Pilot (KIA)
2Lt Daniel Shapiro - Bombardier (POW)
TSgt Melvin Chambers - Top Turret Gunner (POW)
TSgt Shirley Elliott - Radio Operator (KIA)
SSgt Richard Lynde - Ball Turret Gunner (POW)
SSgt Gordon Pugh - Tail Gunner (KIA)
SSgt Martin Silva - Left Waist Gunner (KIA)
SSgt Perry Walker - Bombardier, enlisted, Nose Gunner (POW)