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Lt. Col.
Fredrick L. Spaulding
Inducted into OCS Hall of Fame
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LTC Spaulding, was inducted
into the Infantry OCS Hall of Fame March 30, 2007; and inducted August
8, 2007 The Army Ranger Hall of Fame. In 2010 Fred Spaulding was
also inducted in as Distinguised members of the Regiment of the 506th
inf regiment currahees.
Lt. Col. Spaulding entered the service in June of 1958
and spent the next 9 years as an enlisted man before being commissioned.
He retired from service in June 1987 as a Lt. Col. Throughout his career
he exemplified the finest spirit of the U.S. fighting man as an Airborne
Ranger, Pathfinder, Master Parachutist, Raider/Recondo NCO and Special
Forces Officer. His superiors consistently called upon him for the
toughest of jobs. Equally important to his combat heroics was his
mentoring of classmates during the various schools he attended,
particularly during OCS. Several Officer Candidates credited him with
their success in graduating.
He served in three combat areas, Dominican Republic,
Korea and Viet Nam; Commanded five rifle companies, two HQs' companies,
and 3 Special Forces "A" Teams. He was Selected for United Nations Honor
Guard duty at Eighth Army Headquarters, Seoul, Korea; NCO of the Year
(1963) for 1st CAV Division, and runner up for Eighth Army NCO of the
Year. He has been awarded the CIB, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying
Cross, Bronze Stars w/V, Air Medals w/V, Presidential Unit Citations,
and Valorous Unit Awards.
While
serving as an instructor at the 82nd Airborne Div., Raider/Recondo, and
Airborne Schools in 1965, then SSG Spaulding was selected among 4 other
Rangers in the Battalion to be point man across the Duarte Bridge into
Santo Domingo leading the 3rd Platoon, C Company, 2/325th and the 82nd
Airborne Division into its first battle since WWII.
As an Officer in Vietnam, Captain Spaulding showed his
extraordinary willingness to "lead the way" when he was trusted to take
charge of a chaotic Firebase Henderson which had been attacked during
the night by an NVA sapper company causing multiple KIA and WIA. FB
Henderson remained under constant mortar and heavy arms fire while Capt.
Spaulding on the ground called in effective air strikes and evacuated
the wounded. He later returned under fire and recovered all of the KIA.
Further, in 1970 Capt. Spaulding was selected to plan and coordinate the
battle of Firebase Ripcord in the vicinity of the A Shau valley, I Corp,
Vietnam.
He was
responsible for all aircraft in the AO and fire support during the
battle with emphasis on the siege (1-23 July 70), the withdrawal of the
firebase and two rifle companies in the vicinity, all while under heavy
fire. During the withdrawal (23 July), three LOH helicopters (OH6A) from
which he operated were consecutively damaged so badly by enemy fire that
the were each rendered inoperable. The fourth OH6A he used that day was
also heavily damaged, but it was flyable long enough to complete his
mission of getting all troops out of the AO, opening the way for a
massive B52 strike. Capt. Spaulding's disregard for his personal safety,
while under intense fire, to accomplish his mission, is in the highest
tradition of the credo. "Rangers Lead the Way". |
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Kenneth Kays D/1-506 |
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This Article came from the
506th Airborne Infantry Association
In February of this
year, our Association made a contribution to a committee in
Fairfield,
Illinois that was erecting a monument to a former resident of their
town, Kenneth Kays. Kenny was a medic attached to D/1-506 and
several of our members have memories of the day he was wounded and
what he did. Greg Phillips was one of those and provided us
with write-ups on the battle and the ceremony which he and several
members of the company attended and participated in. Thanks to
Greg, we have the following article.
HOMETOWN HONORS CMH HOLDER
By Greg Phillips
On Saturday May 5th, 2007, I journeyed to
Fairfield, Illinois for the dedication of a monument to honor the
late Kenneth Kays, a holder of the Congressional Medal of Honor for
his actions almost 37
years before in an action at FSB Maureen, an abandoned fire support
base in the Northern part of South Vietnam on May 7, 1970.
Along with me were several other members of D/1-506th
Infantry plus representatives from the 506th Infantry
Association.
Colonel Vail and CSM Mark Atchley were also in attendance.
Fairfield Fire Chief Mike Pottorff coordinated and directed the
event and those assisting him did a remarkable job of organizing the
celebration. Although many Fairfield residents
didn't recognize Kays' sacrifice during his lifetime, they and
former Vietnam-era soldiers dedicated a black granite monument in
his memory. It is located in a place of honor on the front
lawn of the Hannah House Museum just south of Fairfield's downtown
district. The main program began with the Pledge of Allegiance
and the National Anthem. This was followed by the Presentation of
the Colors by local members of the VFW as well as a color guard
from
the 506th
Regimental Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division from
nearby Fort Campbell.
Three members of the 506th
Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, who served with Medal of Honor
recipient Kenny Kays during the Vietnam War, unveiled the memorial
in his honor at the conclusion
of the ceremoney. Following lunch, the members
of the 506th Infantry Association concluded their day
with a visit to the grave of Kenneth Kays.
My memories went back to that day in 1970. We (Company
D/1-506) were opposed by a Sapper Battalion (North Vietnamese Army
Special Forces) consisting of approximately 320 men and a North
Vietnamese Army Brigade (Regular Army) consisting of approximately
1200 men. We arrived on May 5th and hit one of the
hottest landing zones ever--with enemy emplacements surrounding the
base. Upon arrival, we were greeted by
.51-caliber machine guns,
mortars, gas and small arms fire from the North, West and South.
During this landing, my Platoon lost our medic to a chest wound. As
I recall, D Company had no casualties. The entire Company spent the
first night atop Maureen and we never realized what was in store for
us over the next two days.
On the morning of May 6th, just before my Platoon did a recon off of
Maureen to the South, a new Medic joined our platoon. His name was
Kenneth Kays. When we reached the base of the mountain that Maureen
was sitting atop, we found ourselves in an enemy bunker complex and
receiving hostile fire at close range. The N.V.A. fired on four of
us who were on line going into the complex. Fortunately, only one of
our guys was wounded (gunshot wounds to the forearm and upper hip.)
The Company ran into hard resistance and it was decided that D
Company would withdraw back to the sides and top of Maureen to be
re-supplied the following day. My Platoon got orders to go back to
the top of the Mountain for the evening of May 6th. We set up as
best we could and prepared for the night to come.
During the early morning hours of May 7th, the enemy hit our Platoon
from the Northwest and West. There were numerous casualties. We lost
seven soldiers and three men lost limbs, including Kenny
Kays.
Afterwards, Kenneth Kays was awarded The Congressional Medal of
Honor. PFC Kenneth David, the platoon leader’s RTO received the
Distinguished Service Cross, Platoon Sergeant Stephen Avgerinos the
Bronze Star with “V” Device and I, then Sp4 Greg Phillips the Silver
Star.
In later years we learned that Kenny had a rough adjustment to life
after Viet Nam and in some ways withdrew into himself.
Kenny died November 29, 1991 and is buried at Maple Hill Cemetery in
Fairfield. His military issue tombstone reads “Kenneth M.
Kays: Medal of Honor: PFC US Army – Vietnam; Purple Heart.
He was awarded the Medal by President Richard M. Nixon.
The President of the United States of America,
authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the
name of the Congress the Medal of Honor to
Pfc. Kenneth Michael Kays
UNITED STATES ARMY
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Pfc. (then Pvt) Kays distinguished himself while serving as a
medical aidman with Company D, 1st Battalion, 101st Airborne
Division near Fire Support Base Maureen. A heavily armed force of
enemy sappers and infantrymen assaulted Company D's night defensive
position, wounding and killing a number of its members. Disregarding
the intense enemy fire and ground assault, Pfc. Kays began moving
toward the perimeter to assist his fallen comrades. In doing so he
became the target of concentrated enemy fire and explosive charges,
1 of which severed the lower portion of his left leg. After applying
a tourniquet to his leg, Pfc. Kays moved to the fire‑swept
perimeter, administered medical aid to 1 of the wounded, and helped
move him to an area of relative safety. Despite his severe wound and
excruciating pain, Pfc. Kays returned to the perimeter in search of
other wounded men. He treated another wounded comrade, and, using
his own body as a shield against enemy bullets and fragments, moved
him to safety. Although weakened from a great loss of blood, Pfc.
Kays resumed his heroic lifesaving efforts by moving beyond the
company's perimeter into enemy held territory to treat a wounded
American lying there. Only after his fellow wounded soldiers had
been treated and evacuated did Pfc. Kays allow his own wounds to be
treated. These courageous acts by Pfc. Kays resulted in the saving
of numerous lives and inspired others in his company to repel the
enemy. Pfc. Kays' heroism at the risk of his life are in keeping
with the highest traditions of the service and reflect great credit
on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st
Airborne Division. place and date: Thua Thien province,
Republic of Vietnam, 7 May 1970. Entered service at:
Fairfield, Ill. Born: 22 September 1949, Mount Vernon, Ill.
Editors Note: Primary source material was provided and written
by Greg Phillips and supplemented by newspaper articles and other
information available to the public.
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Commemorative Painting in honor of
1LT Bob Kalsu.
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My name is Paul Jackson and I am
a 4th year Cadet at the University of Oklahoma. The Sooner Battalion and
myself are attempting to raise funds in order to commission a
commemorative painting in honor of 1LT Bob Kalsu.
Just to give you a little background:
1LT James Robert "Bob" Kalsu was born 13APR1945. He was an All-American
Tackle at the University of Oklahoma in 1967 and a member of the
University of Oklahoma Army ROTC program. Bob was chosen in the 8th
round of the 1968 professional draft by the Buffalo Bills. During the
'68 season, Bob started
8 games for the Bill and was named the Bills' top rookie for that
season.
Following the 1968 football season, Bob began fulfilling his ROTC
commitment to the US Army (not required for a professional athlete). He
was commissioned as a 1LT in the Field Artillery. He arrived in Vietnam
in November 1969 with C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery,
101st Airborne Division. He was killed in action by mortar fire on
21JUL1970 at Fire Support Base Ripcord near the A Shau Valley. Two days
later, on 23JUL1970, his wife, Jan, gave birth to their second child, a
son. Hours after delivering Bob Jr., Jan was informed of the death of
her husband. On 13APR2000 1LT James Robert "B ob" Kalsu was inducted
into the Football Hall of Fame. On 23JUL2001, he was memorialized on the
cover of Sports Illustrated.
We, in the Sooner Battalion, would like to immortalize this great and
accomplished man here at the University of Oklahoma. In order to do so,
we need to raise funds. Any and all donations will be accepted. The
estimated cost is $20,000. This will include preliminary and refined
sketches, the actual oil painting, and 500 prints of the original. All
efforts will be put forth in order to make sure significant donations
are recognized by giving the donators a free print of the original. I
thank you for your time and interest in this matter. If you would like
to make a donation or have any questions, comments, or other interests
in this project, please feel free to contact me at (918) 812-4203 or
pauljackson@ou.edu
You may also contact LTC Kennan Horn at (405) 325-0303 or
KHorn@ou.edu.
To Send a Donation for the
commemorative painting in honor of 1LT Bob Kalsu.
Make checks out to the OU Foundation and
mailed to the armory at:
OU Army ROTC
290 W. Brooks
Norman, OK 73019
CDT Jackson
Sooner Battalion S-1
Please check out these websites
which give true testament to 1LT Kalsu's character.
http://www.virtualwall.org/dk/KalsuJR01a.htm
http://billsinsider.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=114&page=1
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/cover/01/0723/ |
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The Bob Kalsu Memorial Portrait Progress
My name is Paul Jackson and I
am a 2LT temporarily assigned to the University of Oklahoma. I have been
communicating with you on and off regarding 1LT Bob Kalsu.
I would like to start by saying thank you for all the support you and
your association has given us in the past few months with regards to the
raising of funds for the Bob Kalsu memorial portrait we are attempting
to commission.
Fund-raising is going well however, we have hit a new snag. We are now
in desperate need of photographs of LT Kalsu. We have been able to find
only a handful of pictures within our archives and those of the
University.
If you could please put the word out to all of your members we would
greatly appreciate it. They can send electronic copies to my email at
pauljackson@ou.edu or they can mail in originals to
OU ARMY ROTC
290 W. BROOKS
NORMAN, OK 73019
Please provide a return address so we can make sure that originals are
returned. Again, thank you for all you have done and we deeply
appreciate your continued cooperation.
"Artillery lends dignity to, what would otherwise be, a vulgar brawl" -
ANONYMOUS
Paul Jackson
2LT, FA
Oklahoma Army National Guard |
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LTG (R)
Randolph W. House |
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LTG (R) Randolph W. House epitomizes the core values of
leadership and commitment to service evident here in the
Corps of Cadets.
Upon his graduation in 1968 as a distinguished military
graduate, earning a degree in Agriculture, House also
received his Army commission. After serving two tours as
a combat infantryman in Vietnam, he received his masters
degree in Industrial Education from Clemson University.
House has commanded in peace and war at every level of
command from an infantry platoon commander in the 82nd
Airborne Division through Deputy Commander in Chief of
the U.S. Pacific Command. General House commanded the 2nd
Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division in
Southwest Asia during operations Desert Shield and
Desert Storm.
In October 1998, he received a second three star
assignment as the Deputy Commander in Chief and Chief of
Staff of the U.S. Pacific Command. General House retired
after almost 33 years of service in December of 2000.
His military decorations include that of the Defense
Distinguished Service Medal (with two oak leaf
clusters), Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star,
Distinguished Flying Cross (with three oak leaf
clusters), Bronze Star Medal (with an oak leaf cluster),
the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry ( with two silver
stars and two bronze stars) among many others.
He currently serves as a consultant to the Army
regarding operations in Korea. He also assists the Dean
of the George Busch School of Government and Public
Service a strategic study to determine how the Bush
School can attain “Great School” status by the year
2010.
House is a former member of the Board of Directors of
USAA, he has been active in the Corps Development
Council, Corps of Cadets Association, the Association of
Former Students and President’s Council.
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