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

INDYSTAR.COM

 

 

 

 

 


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