Clifton Spiller

The database page for Clifton Spiller

27 Feb 2005 The photo and following article are taken from The Philadelphia Inquirer for October 1, 1968. MARINE FROM PHILA. DIES OF WAR WOUNDS, HAD ASKED PRAYERS Mrs. Louise Muse, of 718 N. 16th st., received the last letter from her son, Marine Lance Cpl. Clifton Spiller, on Monday, a day after she learned of his death of wounds suffered in South Vietnam. The letter, written from the Navy hospital ship, Sanctuary, where the Marine died Saturday, said he hoped to make it home "without any more grief." "It seems as though I almost made it," Cpl. Spiller wrote and described how he and other Marines had been "hard hit by mortar barrages and suffered a lot of casualties." His letter closed with the admonition, "So keep praying and I'll be home soon." Cpl. Spiller, 27, left Benjamin Franklin High School to enlist in the Air Force nine years ago. He served four years and was discharged as an Airman Second Class. After working on the assembly lines of National Cash Register Co., and the Finnaren & Haley Co., he enlisted in the Marine Corps in June, 1967. He trained at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Parris Island, S.C., and went to Vietnam last October. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in July. Cpl. Spiller was the head of a small weapons team in a Third Marine Division unit. Surviving besides his mother are three brothers, Cleophus, 31; Harvey, 28, and Joseph 30. Harvey is an Army Staff Sergeant stationed at Fort Dix, N.J., who has served 12 years including a stint in Vietnam. SEMPER FIDELIS, MARINE! From a native Philadelphian and Marine, Jim McIlhenney christianamacks@comcast.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall The Marines at Landing Zone Margo in the Cam Lo River Valley west of the village of Cam Lo were subjected to merciless bombardment during the latter part of September 1968. LZ Margo was within range of heavy weapons situated within the Demilitarized Zone, and while counter-battery artillery and air strikes were used against the NVA artillery they were less than effective in knocking out guns emplaced in caves and tunnels. Thirty Marines are known to have died at LZ Margo: A Co, 3rd Recon Bn HN David L. Eisenbraun, Youngstown, OH (09/17/1968) (Silver Star) E Co, 2nd Bn, 26th Marines Pfc Edward Cunningham, New York, NY (09/16/1968) LCpl Gary R. Daffin, Baltimore, MD (09/16/1968) Pfc John M. Donohue, Gregory, MI (09/16/1968) Pfc James C. Durham, Lincoln Park, MI (09/16/1968) Pfc Delon Hunter, Los Angeles, CA (09/16/1968) Cpl Stanley R. Pettit, Liberty, SC (09/15/1968) LCpl Harry E. Rivers, Philadelphia, PA (09/16/1968) LCpl Joseph E. Roble, Latrobe, PA (09/16/1968) SSgt Juan O. Sanchez, Harlingen, TX (09/17/1968) LCpl Clifton Spiller, Dayton, OH (09/28/1968) SGT Billie G. Strickland, Sarasota, FL (09/17/1968) F Co, 2nd Bn, 26th Marines Cpl Rodney Bradford, Chicago, IL (09/16/1968) LCpl David B. Freed, Montclair, NJ (09/19/1968) LCpl James D. Rinehart, Jackson, CA (09/19/1968) H Co, 2nd Bn, 26th Marines Pfc Dwight L. Adams, Nashville, TN (09/16/1968) Pfc Michael H. Deschenes, Auburn, ME (09/16/1968) Pfc Douglas G. Impson, Denham Springs, LA (09/15/1968) Pfc Leon E. Kizzie, Richmond, VA (09/17/1968) Pfc Jerry L. Marcum, Muncie, IN (09/17/1968) Pfc D L. Mc Donald, Van Nuys, CA (09/16/1968) Pfc Ronald J. Pointer, Somerville, MA (09/17/1968) Pfc Steven J. Reichardt, St Charles, MO (09/17/1968) H&S Co, 2nd Bn, 26th Marines Pfc Lawrence G. Bryan, Columbus, OH (09/16/1968) Cpl William J. Moore, Minden, WV (09/16/1968) LCpl William J. Oskilanec, Homewood, IL (09/16/1968) Cpl William T. Parker, Stockton, CA (09/17/1968) LCpl Dominick Pollastro, Syracuse, NY (09/17/1968) Pfc Frank A. Skocich, Ambridge, PA (09/17/1968) HN Darnell J. Songne, Abbeville, LA (09/17/1968)

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009