CPL Alfred Carl Springfield, Jr, Canonsburg, PA on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

Local papers in Pennsylvania reported the death of Corporal Springfield during the week of November 10, 1967. The articles read something similar to:

Canonsburg Marine Killed

CANONSBURG Pa (AP) - A young Marine who volunteered for a second tour of combat has been killed In Vietnam. The Defense Department notified Mr. and Mrs. Alfred C Springfield, Jr Thursday that their son Alfred, 21, was killed early this week by rifle fire near DaNang. Springfield had four months of his six month tour remaining. He previously served a one year hitch.

On November 14, an article appeared as:

Four From Pa Killed In Viet

WASHINGTON AP - - Four more Pennsylvania servicemen have been killed in the Vietnam war the Defense Department announced Monday night. Killed in action were Army Spec4 Robert E Haynes son of Mr and Mrs William C Haynes, Pittsburgh and Marine Cpl Alfred C Springfield, son of Mr and Mrs Alfred C Springfield, Canonsburg.

Changed from the list of missing to dead of hostile causes were Army Spec 4 Clyde W Klingensmith, son of Mr and Mrs Walter J. Klingensmith, Route 1, Saxonburg and Pfc Robert L DeVoe, husband of Mrs Cinda J DeVoe, Fawn Grove.

Three men were killed in the attacks on CAP C-1 and Hill 37 in the vicinity of Dai Loc, South Vietnam. They were:

Marine Corporal Alfred C. Springfield Jr., killed in Vietnam last week, will be buried in Oak Spring Cemetery, Friday, Nov. 17. Military services will be conducted by a Marine Honor Guard from Pittsburgh.

Friends of the local soldier will be received at the Robert E. Wylie Funeral Home, 314 West Pike Street, Houston, after 7:30 p.m., this evening until the funeral services Friday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. at Canonsburg Presbyterian Church. Rev. Thomas F. Conboy is in charge of the funeral service. Cpl. Springfield, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred C. Springfield.

Alfred C. Springfield was born March 24, 1946, in Canonsburg. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in March, 1966. After serving in Vietnam for 13 months he returned home, however, he asked to be returned to Da Nang for six months [start of second tour September 25, 1967] to continue teaching two young Vietnamese boys the English language so they could assist the Americans in their efforts.

Cpl. Springfield had been commended by the President of the United States, along with other members of his outfit, the 2nd Action Group of the Third Marine " Amphibious Force," for work accomplished on a school project during off-duty hours.

Surviving besides his mother Ethel, and father Alfred C. Springfield, Sr, are: three brothers, Richard A., Stephen A., and Charles W., all at home; a sister, Mrs. Dennis Casarcia, Canonsburg, and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Steve Berda, Canonsburg.

The family was living on Smith Street, Canonsburg at the time of Corporal Springfield's death. He is buried in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. In May of 1968, the following was published:

In loving memory of our Son and Brother,
Alfred C. Springfield Jr.,

A veteran with the rank of Cpl., in the U.S.M.C.
who passed away Nov. 8, 1967.

I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead, he is just away!

With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land,

And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you, O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old time step and glad return,

Think of him faring on, as clear
In the love of There as the love of Here:

Think of him still as the same, I say:
He is not dead, he is just away!

Sadly missed

Mom, Dad, Brothers and Sister.

- - The Virtual Wall, November 4, 2014