US PARAS Speirs, Ronald Charles

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Speirs
  • FORENAME
Ronald Charles
  • UNIT
506 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company E)
  • RANK
Captain
  • NUMBER
0-439465
  • AWARD
Silver Star, Bronze Star
  • PLACE
Europe
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 20.04.1920, Edinburgh, Scotland
father Robert Speirs (1882-1954)
mother Martha A. (nee McNeil) (1883-1952)
1924 emigrated to USA
1942 entered service
governor of Spandau Prison
also served Korea and Vietnam
1964 retired as Lieutenant Colonel (awarded Legion of Merit, 3 Bronze Stars)
1944 married, 1 son Robert Speirs
divorced as wife didn't want to move to US
wife Ramona Dolores (nee Pujol) Strumph (1918-2003)
died 11.04.2007 (Aged 86)
burial details unknown
 

CITATION:

Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ronald C. Speirs (ASN: 0-439465), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. On 10 October 1944, in the vicinity of Rendijk, Holland, he was assigned the mission of leading a patrol to the bank of the Neder Rijn River to determine enemy activity across the river. He reached the river bank with his patrol in the early hours of the morning and spent the entire day observing across the river. After dark he voluntarily swam across to the opposite bank alone where he found himself in unknown territory. He located an enemy machine gun nest, an enemy headquarters and other enemy activity near the town of Wageningen. He secured a rubber boat left by the enemy and returned to the friendly side of the river with this information. While returning to his own lines, he was wounded by fire from an enemy machine gun. Lieutenant Speirs was the first to cross the Neder Rijn River in this vicinity, and in so doing he paved the way for other patrols to make similar reconnaissance's. The information proved of great value to his unit. His actions were in accordance with the highest standards of military service.

Legion of Merit : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Ronald C. Speirs, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from October 1961 to March 1964. [This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal to Colonel Speirs for meritorious service during the period October 1962 to March 1964 as announced in General Orders Number 15, Headquarters, Department of the Army, dated 23 April 1964.]

WEB LINKS:

https://www.ronaldspeirs.com/
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/84432
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Speirs

FINDAGRAVE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19055962/ronald-charles-speirs
Last edited by a moderator:
Top