| Notes |
From Dale E. Sprague, Jr., correspondent.
Gerald Paul Sprague PFC U.S. Army serving with his unitunder enemy fire in the Ia Drang River Valley area near theCambodian border during a night ambush was wounded. Thenumerical superiority of the enemy enabled them to gainquite an advantage. The aggressive, courageous spiritdisplayed by PFC Sprague even though seriously wounded wasan inspiration to his comrades and instrumental in theremoval of the other critically wounded. He refused medicalevacuation until the battle was over. After the battle hespent two weeks in a hospital in Siagon, two months in ahospital in Japan. He is now in the hospital in FortGordon, Georgia. The battle mentioned above was fought onJuly,17,1966. Gerald Paul served in the Vietnam Conflict1965 and 1966. He was awarded the Bronze Star with V deviceand 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 myfonder memories of Gerry, were during our visits to theDaytona Beach boardwalk. He always had a pocket full ofquarters 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, anauto mechanic, died Wednesday at Hospice Care Center, PortOrange.
Mr. Sprague was born in Beloit, Wis., and came here in 1951from Albuquerque, N.M. He was a member of Daytona BeachChristian Church. He was an Army veteran of the VietnamWar.
Survivors include a son, David Sprague, Gurnee, Ill., adaughter, Laurie Sprague, Orlando; four brothers, Rick,Fred and Dale, all of Daytona Beach, and Earl, Montgomery,Ala.; a sister, Marlene Goulait, Daytona Beach; and twograndchildren. Dale Woodward, Holly Hill, is in charge.
Clarification
Gerald P. Sprague, 54, of Nelson Avenue, who died Wednesdayat Hospice Care Center, Port Orange, is also survived byhis mother, Ester Sprague of Daytona Beach. Woodward,Holly Hill, is in charge. Information provided forFriday'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. GeraldP. Sprague and his unit were under enemy fire in thejungles of the Ia Drang River Valley area near the Cambodiaborder. 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 duringthe conduct of night ambush against the soldiers of theNorth Vietnamese Army. After contact was made, thenumerical superiority of the enemy enabled them to gain theadvantage of Pfc. Sprague's unit.
"Being positioned on his squad's flank, Pfc. Sprague wasespecially hard pressed by enemy automatic weapons fire andhand grenades. In the coursed of the battle, friendlyartillery units were called upon to deliver close in firesupport. The proximity of the enemy required artilleryrounds to be adjusted so close to friendly positions thatPfc. Sprague and a comrade were wounded.
Refuses Evacuation
"Despite his wounds, Pfc. Sprague held his ground andcontinued to lay down a base of fire. His actions allowedmembers of the squad to evacuate the other casualty. Pvt.Sprague himself refused evacuation until the battle wasover.
"The aggressive, courageous spirit displayed by Pfc.Sprague in the face of his own serious wounds wasinstrumental in the evacuation of other critically woundedsoldiers. His conduct was an inspiration to his comrades.
"Pfc. Sprague's actions are in keeping with the highesttraditions of the military service and the Armed Forces ofthe United States."
The citation was presented to Pfc. Sprague from the officeof 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 VietNam 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, hewas also caring for his wounded "buddy:, who after fivehours of waiting, died. The helicopters were under suchheavy fire they could not get close they could to evacuatethe wounded.
Gerald was one of the last to be picked up and for hisbravery while standing face to face with the enemy he willbe awarded the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, thePurple Heart, and the Bronze Star.
Now in Hospital
Pfc. Sprague doesn't know yet where and when he willreceive his awards. He is now in the hospital at FortGordon, Ga., where he has been for the past month sincereturning to the United states. Before that he was in ahospital in Saigon for two weeks and another in Japan fortwo months.
Assistant principal Howard Gold read the citation to thestudent body over the P. A. system. Later he told thisreporter:
"Sometime we are often concerned with trivial things whilein remote areas of this world, people are concerned withprotecting us, which is far from being a trivial task.These people and those to come are the backbone of ournation and we would be proud to have more like Pfc. GeraldSprague."
=====
Gerald Sprague
ORMOND BEACH - Gerald P. Sprague, 54, of Nelson Avenue, anauto mechanic, died Wednesday at Hospice Care Center, PortOrange.
Mr. Sprague was born in Beloit, Wis., and came here in 1951from Albuquerque, N.M. He was a member of Daytona BeachChristian Church. He was an Army Veteran of the VietnamWar.
Survivors include a son, David Sprague, Gurnee, Ill.; adaughter, Laurie Sprague, Orlando; four brothers, Rick,Fred and Dale, all of Daytona Beach, and Earl, Montgomery,Ala.; a sister, Marlene Goulait, Daytona Beach; and twograndchildren. Dale Woodward, Holly Hill is in charge.
=====
Clarification
Gerald P. Sprague, 54 of Nelson Avenue, who died Wednesdayat Hospice Care Center, Port Orange, is also survived byhis mother, Ester Sprague of Daytona Beach. Woodward,Holly Hill, is in charge. Information provided forFriday's News-Journal was incomplete.
=====
From the Maurice Sprague Book
Gerald Paul Sprague, PFC, serving with his unit under enemyfire in the jungles of Ia Drang river valley area near theCambodia border during a night ambush was wounded. Thenumerical superiority of the enemy enabled them to gainquite an advantage. The aggressive courageous spiritDisplayed by PFC Sprague even though seriously wounded wasan inspiration to his comrades and instrumental in theremoval of the other critically wounded. He refusedevacuation until the battle was over. After the battle hespent two weeks in a hospital in Saigon and two months in ahospital in Japan. He is now in the hospital in FortGordon, Georgia. This is Christmas of 1966; the battle wasJuly 17, 1966. He has been awarded the Medal with Vdevice, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
Gerald is a 1964 graduate of Mainland Senior High atDaytona Beach, Fla. He entered service December 1, 1965and trained at Fort Polk, Louisiana. [2, 5, 6]
|
1943 - 1997 (54 years)
[1] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
