Douglas R. Martin was born January 9, 1949, in Valley City, North Dakota, the son of Roy C. and Lillian B. (Swenson) Martin. He was raised to manhood in Valley City and received his education in the College Training School and College High School. In 1965, College High closed its doors and he completed his education, the last two years, in the Valley City High School, graduating in 1967. He completed two years in Valley City State College, pursuing courses in Science, Math and Art.

In 1969, he enlisted in the United States Navy's Nuclear Program for a six year enlistment.

On November 1, 1969, Douglas R. Martin was united in marriage to Kathleen Marie Hochalter, daughter of Walter and Alice Hochalter of Wishek, North Dakota and as of this writing, no children have been born to this union.

Douglas was married just after his Navy Boot Training in San Diego, and his wife joined him there as soon as he could arrange off base housing. For the next three years he attended Naval Schools for its "Nuc" program in San Francisco, California, Bainbridge, Maryland and Saratoga Springs, NY. He went to Submarine School at New London, CT, and joined his ship, USS Plunger, a submarine, at Mare Island Naval Base, Vallejo, California in 1972, as a Nuclear Reactor Operator. After a brief period in dry dock he went to sea with his ship, visiting various ports in the US. and overseas. In 1974 he was injured in a mishap on Guam, breaking both his legs. He was hospitalized and returned to San Diego Naval Hospital where he finished his enlistment. He was discharged from the Navy August 15, 1975.

He returned to Valley City after his discharge and at present is employed by his father's business, Baldhill Electric, with the intention of becoming part of the firm in the near future.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 152