Spalding, William E.

Description

William Frederic Spalding was born on June 22, 1922, in Portland, Maine, to Mildred Rachel Camp and Colonel Donald Parker Spalding. His father was a career military man and William and his family lived at various Army posts.

William received a Congressional appointment to the US Military Academy from Massachusetts. He was a member of the “D-Day” Class of USMA 1944. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on 6 June 1944.

He served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II. William saw overseas combat duty in both the European Theater of Operations and Pacific Theater of Operations during the war (1944-46). He served with the 1288th Engineer Combat Battalion

The battalion underwent intensive training at Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi. The unit was alerted for overseas movement in October 1944. It departed Camp Van Dorn on November 21, 1944, for the New York Port of Embarkation, eventually staging at Camp Shanks, New York, before shipping out on December 1, 1944.

In Europe, the battalion’s history includes the occupation of various picturesque and historic sites dating back to Roman and Medieval eras. Following the war, the battalion remained in Germany as part of the occupation forces. Records indicate members were active in Germany through late 1945 and early 1946.

Upon his return to the US, John was stationed at Fort Belvoir where he attended Advanced Engineer Officer Course.

He married Miss Marjorie Ann Wahl, daughter of Mrs. Blanche Wahl, 21 Oakwood Avenue, Rye, NY on December 21, 1947 at West Point. They had one child during their marriage.

William received his Masters of Science degree from MIT in 1949. Like his father, he was a career Army officer and served during Korea and Vietnam. His overseas service included the Mediterranean and Saudi Arabia (U.S. Engineer District (1965-68)). He retired from the U.S. Army on the disabled list as a Colonel in 1972 following 28 years of military service.

Some military his military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit and Army Commendation Medal

Colonel William Frederic Spalding died March 7, 2022 at the age of 99. He was buried at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.