Captain Martin Gelb
Martin Gelb, 101 of Hudson NH died on Monday, August 30,2021. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 27, 1919 to Fannie and Nathan Gelb. He is survived by daughter Nancy Gelb-Sag and husband Bob Sag, son Larry Gelb and wife Randy of NY. Four grandchildren: Jamie Bressler and Husband Dave, Joshua Sag and Katy Lordan, Benjamin Gelb, and Rachel Gelb, 5 great grandchildren, Benjamin, Samuel and Lillie Bressler, Jesse Sag and Thomas Zajac., many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, sister Edna and husband Henry Vogel of Queens NY, brother Irving and wife Beatrice of California
He joined the military in 1940, and in 1942 was in OCS from there he was recruited into the OSS (Office of Strategic Services, forerunner of the CIA) Initially he was in England helping to set up communications for D-Day. He was then sent as part of “Wild” Bill Donovan’s crew behind enemy lines to work with the French and Polish resistance helping hunt down German Scientists and war criminals. His name appeared on a list of spies kept by the Germans that was later found in a locked safe in Paris. In 1945, he helped liberate Buchenwald and later helped to set up communications at Nuremberg. The members of the OSS were recognized for their service and awarded the Congressional gold medal by Senator Shaheen in 2018.
After the war he was a trouble shooter for the NY Telephone Company, and retired in 1976.
There will be a graveside service at the NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy., Boscawen, NH on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 10:00am. Memorial contributions may be made to a Veterans organization of your choice. The Peabody Funeral Home & Crematorium is assisting the family with arrangements.