- SURNAME
Spainhour
- FORENAME
Walter Judson,Jr (Jud)
- UNIT
5 Recon Bn (A Company) (1 MarDiv)
- RANK
First Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-85876
- DATE OF DEATH
15th September 1966
- AGE
26
- GRAVESITE
Bellview Cemetery,Lenoir,Caldwell County,North Carolina Spainhour plot
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Lenoir,North Carolina
born 7.4.1940 Lenoir,North Carolina
son of Walter Judson and Mary (nee Jennings) Spainhour,469 West Harper Avenue,Lenoir,North Carolina
single
graduated Lenoir High School
graduated University of North Carolina,Chapel Hill June 1962
6 years service
entered service 1960
graduated US Naval Academy July 1962 (2Lt)
1st Lieutenant January 1964
USS Wasp 1964-66
5 Recon Bn May 1966
award Silver Star (posthumous)
promoted Captain posthumously
KIA near Dong Ha,Quang Tri Province,South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 10E Line 98
DATE OF DEATH:
15-Sep-1966AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/spainhour-walter-judson-jr.51014/CITATION:
Silver Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Walter J. Spainhour, Jr. (MCSN: 0-85876), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Platoon Commander of the First Platoon, Company A, Fifth Reconnaissance Battalion, attached to the Special Landing Force in connection with operations against the enemy in the vicinity of Dong Ha, Vietnam on 15 September 1966. During the Amphibious Operation DECKHOUSE IV, First Lieutenant Spainhour's platoon was assigned the mission of patrolling a 2,000 by 3,500 meter area covered by dense thorn and vine scrub in enemy controlled territory. The small scouting party he was leading ran into a numerically superior North Vietnamese force, estimated to be of company size. In the initial burst of fire, two of the enemy were killed and the rest dispersed. While one of his men went for help, First Lieutenant Spainhour remained with the scouting party, repeatedly exposing himself to the deadly enemy rounds to direct his men's fire on the enemy positions. Courageously maneuvering his team in this manner, he was fatally wounded but he valiantly continued to lead his men for more than an hour until he succumbed to his grievous wound. First Lieutenant Spainhour's inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty were greatly instrumental in the timely rescue of his beleaguered unit and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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