Denison's highest award. The preeminent criterion for receipt of a President’s Medal, which was established in 1985, is academic achievement. In addition, candidates must embody some combination of the following: service to the community, contribution to the arts, enlargement of the community’s global perspective, athletic fitness and achievement, leadership ability and contribution to community discourse.

For professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as Company Level Intelligence Cell Assistant Chief, Headquarters Platoon, Weapons Company, Task Force 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, II Marine Expeditionary Force (forward) from 24 September 2008 to 15 April 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this period, Lance Corporal Martin performed his duties in an exceptional and highly proficient manner. He expertly prepared intelligence products and intelligence summaries that directly impacted the overall successes of the company's counterinsurgency operations. His technical abilities and analysis of raw data aided in the creation of over forty target packages for suspected insurgents and led to the capture of nine High Value Individuals. He displayed a high level of analytical proficiency in the production of a comprehensive brief and link analysis chart that detailed the movement of improvised explosive devices throughout the battalion's area of operations. Lance Corporal Martin's initiative, perseverance and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

"Martin's memoir is as thoughtful as it is lucid, and is written in a deeply personal, confessional style, probing and self-effacing." - Kirkus Reviews This is my memoir about my time in the US Marine Corps, and my deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.