In the early morning hours of June 13, 1968 – in Kontum Province, South Vietnam – an enemy unit moved into position for a night attack on a US camp.\u00a0 SGT Frank Spink was on guard duty.\u00a0 At 3AM, he noticed the enemy night attack about to begin, sounded the alarm, and engaged the enemy.\u00a0 His actions gave sufficient warning to his unit to allow an effective response and prevent his camp from being overrun.<\/p>\n
His actions also drew the enemy’s full attention, however, and nearly cost SGT Spink his life.\u00a0 He was severely wounded by enemy rocket fire during the attack.\u00a0 His life was likely saved by his lieutenant, who rendered immediate aid during the battle.\u00a0 SGT Spink did, unfortunately, lose an arm due to his wounds.<\/p>\n
For his wounds SGT Spink received a Purple Heart.\u00a0 He was also recommended for the Silver Star, and apparently the award was approved.\u00a0 Unfortunately, because of some administrative SNAFU, it was also never presented to SGT Spink.\u00a0 Nor was SGT Spink aware of it.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where this story would normally have ended \u2013 no presentation, and no story.\u00a0 Just another deserving but unknown hero denied proper recognition by a regrettable admin SNAFU.<\/p>\n
Except here, years later, someone followed up.<\/p>\n
Everyone in the military gives LTs and ENSs grief.\u00a0 Much of the time, that\u2019s well-deserved.\u00a0 Virtually all new officers – particularly non-prior service ones – are na\u00efve as hell.\u00a0 Some new \u201cbutterbars\u201d actually think they know their ass from a hole in the ground the day they\u2019re commissioned.\u00a0 And a few are really obnoxious and arrogant \u201cpieces of work\u201d.<\/p>\n
But most junior officers know they\u2019re ignorant, and listen to (and learn from) their NCOs.\u00a0 One thing most junior officers learn quickly from their NCOs is to take care of their troops.\u00a0 And the good ones remember that for the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n
A few years ago SGT Spink\u2019s former lieutenant was doing research on his old unit.\u00a0 He came across paperwork for Spink\u2019s Silver Star.<\/p>\n
He got in contact with his former soldier, and thanked him for saving lives that long-ago night.\u00a0 He found out that Spink had never received his award.<\/p>\n
The former lieutenant and another vet then took action.\u00a0 And though it took a while, the rest – as they say – is history.\u00a0 A longstanding SNAFU was finally corrected; a deserving hero was recognized.\u00a0 Earlier this week, SGT Frank Spink, US Army, was presented his Silver Star<\/a>. Belatedly, yes \u2013 but he received it<\/em>.<\/p>\n Kudos, SGT Frank Spink.\u00a0 Through your valor, many friendly lives were saved.\u00a0 We belatedly honor your actions – and your heroism – on that long-ago day in June of 1968.<\/p>\n And kudos also to John McHenry, SGT Spink\u2019s former lieutenant, who followed up and took care of his soldier.\u00a0 And to fellow veteran Fred Golladay \u2013 who, along with McHenry, simply wouldn\u2019t let the matter rest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"