1st Battalion 22nd Infantry
Tuesday April 3rd, 2012, former U.S.
Army Sgt. Frank Spink holds a silver star given to him by a
fellow veteran and a copy of the original orders
issued July 26th, 1968 awarding him a Silver Star. On June 13,
1968 U.S. Army Sgt. Frank Spink alerted his platoon leader to
enemy movements
near a U.S. encampment, exchanged gunfire with attacking
insurgents and then lost his right arm when a rocket exploded on
his bunker.
Although Spink, who lives in Plainfield was awarded the Silver
Star, he never knew about it or received the medal.The order
awarding
Spink the Silver Star got lost in a shuffle of paperwork. Now
fellow veterans are working to right the wrong.
(Michelle Pemberton/The Indianapolis Star)
U.S. Army Sgt. Frank Spink photographed during his time in Vietnam.
Lt. John McHenry (center) during his
time in Vietnam. Photo provided by Frank Spink. McHenry began the
movement
among veterans who served with U.S. Army Sgt. Frank Spink to
finally award him his medal.
Central Highlands, Vietnam, area of operation, Photo provided by Frank Spink
Frank Spink (right) at Fort Polk Army
Base in Fort Polk, Louisiana before Spink was wounded in 1968,
photo provided by Frank Spink.
Sgt. Frank Spink, shown here on the left pulling security for a bunker along an air strip
Sgt. Frank Spink, shown here about to take R& R at Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam
On June 13, 1968 U.S. Army Sgt. Frank
Spink alerted his platoon leader to enemy movements near a U.S.
encampment, exchanged gunfire
with attacking insurgents and then lost his right arm when a
rocket exploded on his bunker. This photograph provided by Spink
shows him in the #106th General Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
In this photograph Spink, shown here on
the left, sitting in front of what the men called a Hooch, in
this case a tent made of tied together
rain ponchos and an air mattress. Spink spent about a year
sleeping in this style of tent. Photograph provided by Frank
Spink.
Christmas card sent by L.T. John
McHenry to Frank Spink Christmas 07. Spink' son tracked down
McHenry for his father
so that he could reconnect with his L.T. The card started the
ball rolling of the veteran's mission to award Spink his medal.
On June 13, 1968 U.S. Army Sgt. Frank
Spink alerted his platoon leader to enemy movements near a U.S.
encampment, exchanged gunfire
with attacking insurgents and then lost his right arm when a
rocket exploded on his bunker in Dak Pek shown here.
Medals awarded to U.S. Army Sgt. Frank Spink on display in a case at his home.
Selective Service Card belonging to U.S. Army Sgt. Frank Spink
Original military ID, belonging to U.S. Army Sgt. Frank Spink.
Photo credits: Michelle Pemberton from
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