| Notes |
From Dale E. Sprague, Jr., correspondent.
Gerald Paul Sprague PFC U.S. Army serving with his unit under enemy fire in the Ia Drang River Valley area near the Cambodian border during a night ambush was wounded. The numerical superiority of the enemy enabled them to gain quite an advantage. The aggressive, courageous spirit displayed by PFC Sprague even though seriously wounded was an inspiration to his comrades and instrumental in the removal of the other critically wounded. He refused medical evacuation until the battle was over. After the battle he spent two weeks in a hospital in Siagon, two months in a hospital in Japan. He is now in the hospital in Fort Gordon, Georgia. The battle mentioned above was fought on July,17,1966. Gerald Paul served in the Vietnam Conflict 1965 and 1966. He was awarded the Bronze Star with V device and the Purple Heart.
From what I remember of my Uncle Gerry he was a thoughtful, caring, gentle soul. Who will be sorely missed. Some of my fonder memories of Gerry, were during our visits to the Daytona Beach boardwalk. He always had a pocket full of quarters for us to entertain ourselves on Video games.
From Dale E. Sprague, Jr., correspondent, note of May 8, 2010
Gerald Sprague
ORMOND BEACH -- Gerald P. Sprague, 54, of Nelson Avenue, an auto mechanic, died Wednesday at Hospice Care Center, Port Orange.
Mr. Sprague was born in Beloit, Wis., and came here in 1951 from Albuquerque, N.M. He was a member of Daytona Beach Christian Church. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.
Survivors include a son, David Sprague, Gurnee, Ill., a daughter, Laurie Sprague, Orlando; four brothers, Rick, Fred and Dale, all of Daytona Beach, and Earl, Montgomery, Ala.; a sister, Marlene Goulait, Daytona Beach; and two grandchildren. Dale Woodward, Holly Hill, is in charge.
Clarification
Gerald P. Sprague, 54, of Nelson Avenue, who died Wednesday at Hospice Care Center, Port Orange, is also survived by his mother, Ester Sprague of Daytona Beach. Woodward, Holly Hill, is in charge. Information provided for Friday's News-Journal was incomplete.
From Dale E. Sprague, Jr., correspondent, note of June 17, 2018
Citation For Bravery
By Patty Payne
During the hot sticky night of July 17, 1966, Pfc. Gerald P. Sprague and his unit were under enemy fire in the jungles of the Ia Drang River Valley area near the Cambodia border. His only weapon - a rifle. His only choice - stand or die.
Here is the story as told in his citation.
"Pfc. Sprague distinguished himself by his actions during the conduct of night ambush against the soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army. After contact was made, the numerical superiority of the enemy enabled them to gain the advantage of Pfc. Sprague's unit.
"Being positioned on his squad's flank, Pfc. Sprague was especially hard pressed by enemy automatic weapons fire and hand grenades. In the coursed of the battle, friendly artillery units were called upon to deliver close in fire support. The proximity of the enemy required artillery rounds to be adjusted so close to friendly positions that Pfc. Sprague and a comrade were wounded.
Refuses Evacuation
"Despite his wounds, Pfc. Sprague held his ground and continued to lay down a base of fire. His actions allowed members of the squad to evacuate the other casualty. Pvt. Sprague himself refused evacuation until the battle was over.
"The aggressive, courageous spirit displayed by Pfc. Sprague in the face of his own serious wounds was instrumental in the evacuation of other critically wounded soldiers. His conduct was an inspiration to his comrades.
"Pfc. Sprague's actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and the Armed Forces of the United States."
The citation was presented to Pfc. Sprague from the office of the Secretary of the Army.
1964 Graduate
Gerald Sprague is a 1964 graduate of Mainland Senior High. He entered the army, Dec. 1, 1965. Before leaving for Viet Nam he received two months training at Ft. Polk, La.
He was only in Viet Nam for one month before being injured. While keeping his position and harassed by his wounds, he was also caring for his wounded "buddy:, who after five hours of waiting, died. The helicopters were under such heavy fire they could not get close they could to evacuate the wounded.
Gerald was one of the last to be picked up and for his bravery while standing face to face with the enemy he will be awarded the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star.
Now in Hospital
Pfc. Sprague doesn't know yet where and when he will receive his awards. He is now in the hospital at Fort Gordon, Ga., where he has been for the past month since returning to the United states. Before that he was in a hospital in Saigon for two weeks and another in Japan for two months.
Assistant principal Howard Gold read the citation to the student body over the P. A. system. Later he told this reporter:
"Sometime we are often concerned with trivial things while in remote areas of this world, people are concerned with protecting us, which is far from being a trivial task. These people and those to come are the backbone of our nation and we would be proud to have more like Pfc. Gerald Sprague."
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Gerald Sprague
ORMOND BEACH - Gerald P. Sprague, 54, of Nelson Avenue, an auto mechanic, died Wednesday at Hospice Care Center, Port Orange.
Mr. Sprague was born in Beloit, Wis., and came here in 1951 from Albuquerque, N.M. He was a member of Daytona Beach Christian Church. He was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War.
Survivors include a son, David Sprague, Gurnee, Ill.; a daughter, Laurie Sprague, Orlando; four brothers, Rick, Fred and Dale, all of Daytona Beach, and Earl, Montgomery, Ala.; a sister, Marlene Goulait, Daytona Beach; and two grandchildren. Dale Woodward, Holly Hill is in charge.
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Clarification
Gerald P. Sprague, 54 of Nelson Avenue, who died Wednesday at Hospice Care Center, Port Orange, is also survived by his mother, Ester Sprague of Daytona Beach. Woodward, Holly Hill, is in charge. Information provided for Friday's News-Journal was incomplete.
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From the Maurice Sprague Book
Gerald Paul Sprague, PFC, serving with his unit under enemy fire in the jungles of Ia Drang river valley area near the Cambodia border during a night ambush was wounded. The numerical superiority of the enemy enabled them to gain quite an advantage. The aggressive courageous spirit Displayed by PFC Sprague even though seriously wounded was an inspiration to his comrades and instrumental in the removal of the other critically wounded. He refused evacuation until the battle was over. After the battle he spent two weeks in a hospital in Saigon and two months in a hospital in Japan. He is now in the hospital in Fort Gordon, Georgia. This is Christmas of 1966; the battle was July 17, 1966. He has been awarded the Medal with V device, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
Gerald is a 1964 graduate of Mainland Senior High at Daytona Beach, Fla. He entered service December 1, 1965 and trained at Fort Polk, Louisiana. [2, 5, 6]
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1943 - 1997 (54 years)
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