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William Richard Spates, Jr
Staff Sergeant
BDQ ADV TEAM TD 23, HQ, MACV ADVISORS, MACV Army of the United States Kensington, Maryland September 08, 1939 to October 25, 1965 WILLIAM R SPATES Jr is on the Wall at Panel 2E, Line 134 |
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Bill was a loving husband and father to wife Felicia and daughter Tracy. He was the son of William Richard Sr. and Mary Lusby Spates and brother to Margaret, James, Michael, Gerald and Mary Catherine (Cissy) Spates. He was an avid outdoorsman and lover of nature. A career soldier, he was most proud of his last assignment before shipping out to Vietnam. He was a Relief Commander of the Tomb Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. To this day current and past Tomb Guard members visit his grave regularly. He is memorialized at the NCO Club of Fort Myer. "Spates Community Center", formerly "Spates Hall", displays an oil portrait of Bill in the foyer of the club.
From his sister. |
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I had the honor of serving with SSgt Spates in RVN in 1965. We were both assigned to II Corp Advisory Team 21 out of Pleiku. Our Senior Advisor was Col Theodore Metaxis. Sgt Spates lost his life serving honorably as an advisor to a VN Ranger battalion. He was a great and loyal friend. I shall always remember him and with admiration. He was well respected and liked by the local Montagnards with whom he worked and all he associated with. The Montagnards made him a member of their tribe early in his tour. I shall never forget him.
From a friend and comrade, |
A Note from The Virtual WallStaff Sergeant Bill Spates is remembered by Company E (Honor Guard), 3d US Infantry, at http://www.tombguard.org/spates.html . He is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Section 48.
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