I agree with all that has been posted. I do have one question though, Why did it take 44 years to give this Soldier his due. He lost an arm and saved countless lives. I am sure they were retelling his story as if in folklore and it took 44 years to give him his due.

Congratulations Comrade you have earned your more than just that medal you have our admiration also. Now more people know your story than ever before.

The Green and White patch is from 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. I LOVE COLORADO SPRINGS and miss it so much.

Esprit De Corps

After 44 years of being just another annonymous draftee who fought in Vietnam, Spink is now election-year fodder for politicians seeking re-election. When politicians don't have their own bloody shirt to wave, they borrow one.

Don't be surprise if Spink's presence is requested at various political functions.

Ouch.

I agree, it was a heroic action on Spink part, but he is now a political tool.

We need to get all troop back home. Not looking to start another war with Iran, although there are lots of oil there, but just like 2 wars before, Chinese or highest bidders will get it and the US will foot the bill for everything else.

As EdNavDoc says, I salute you and what you did for the rest of your brothers in arms, who when you get down to it, are the ones you are fighting for, each other. It took 44 years to get your Silver Star, a long time coming, but well deserved. Thank You Sir for Your Service, and Welcome Home. The political slant, which comes out in ALL posts on these vines, is slight. If Sgt. Spink doesn't want to be used as political fodder all he has to do is decline appearances. So take your politics someplace else folks, this vine is to congratulate Sgt. Spink and the heroic deed he did 44 years ago. Mike RICE RVN 66-69

Well said and WELL deserved!! Thank you for your unselfish contribution!

I recently watched the Ken Burns documentary "The War" rerun on PBS. Hundreds of thousands of men and women died in WWII, most unsung heroes, just doing their jobs.

Likewise those who prevented the dictatorial takeover of the the Korean Peninsula and those who did their jobs in Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, Bosnia, Serbia, Kuwait, Iraq and every other place throughout the world.

IMO, it is never to late for our country to give any soldier an award they have earned. That is the real key behind this, they have EARNED the award by the actions they have taken.

I believe each and every one of the men and women in our military are heroes, particularly those who face combat. When they go beyond the basic requirements, such that the military itself says that they have acted with valor deserving merit, they truly are deserving of the name "HERO."

I guess someone had to be the first politicize it.

Think you can let the man have his limelight for something he should have been awarded 44 years ago without dragging politics into it?

Come on now, Spink shouldn't be discounted his due as a result of politics. I don't disagree that politics drives stories like these frequently, but even so, it was deserved. So I thank the soldier and am amazed at his response to the action, but also am very much aware that those getting the story out might not be doing so to right a wrong.

Sgt Spink,

Congratulations and yes, you are a Hero!

Welcome Home Brother!

Defensor Fortis

RVN 1970-72

Joseph

Unfortunately I can't agree that nobody gave a thought about medals. Look at TRAITOR John Kerry for one.

Ah... swiftboat believer... thought that trash died about a decade ago. At least that "traitor" was in country rather than hiding under momma bush's skirt and living off poppy's/CIA tit while going AWOL and fighting off the invading hoards of VC from crossing into Alabama. Amazingly you will support a gaggle of chicken hawks. Brainwashed moron.

JMarine,

don't forget billy bubba.

I read the article and what I got from it was, he alerted his outfit of approaching enemy.
Hey Man if that goes for heroism now,What The Fook?
He did his job.Was there an alternative action beside hiding in a hole or running?
I was there I did it and if that is considered heroism the @!$%#en govt owes me dozens of Silver Stars.
That guy is being used by rotten, cheatin, liein Politicians.

I hear you.

Bruce-297800

"That guy is being used by rotten, cheatin, liein Politicians." Bruce you got that right on the nose.

Thank you, Tom Bodensick, for your service and your courage.

Giving a Vietnam veteran a medal is meaningless when tens of thousands have been denied medical treatement for Agent Orange by the VA for years. Many of "our nations vets" are living in poverty, unemployed, some even homeless. Some have mental issue as a result of combat. All have been exploited by government lies that the Vietnam War was necessary to save the world from Communism; halt the spread of Communism under the 'Dominoe Theory; and secure America's liberty.

Today, American soldiers are asked to save the world from Terrorism; kill all terrorists under the rubic called 'War Against Terrorism;' and provide national security for America.

Let's face it. The Grunts are cannon fodders for the ambitious generals, war mongers and the Military Industrial Complex.

Just a wild guess WallStFatCat, but you either never served or flat out refused to serve right? I'm just saying this because apparently you missed the intention behind McHenry's actions that allowed him to find that Spink never received the award that he earned that night when he saved so many lives.

@WallStFatCat --- Spoken like someone who viewed the Vietnam war from Canada. Thanks for not getting inour fuggin way.

NC VET You took the words right out of my mouth! Congrats Frank.

I too am a combat vet, did my time in Iraq. I was gung ho at one time and believed in mom's apple pie and our spread of democracy and all the other flag waving BS they pound into our heads, but I also kept grounded to reality and took it all with a grain of salt. I have seen men, women and children killed, hell I was the cause of some of it. All for what? For a bunch of BS that was fed to us by our powers that be.

Some of you need to flush out your freaking brain housing groups and read actual facts of how we and Vietnam Vets included were sucked into the sh!t based on a bunch of lies. But for some it will never sink in, Wall street fat cat, you might as well be talking to a wall...just as I know that I have.

JMarine0811:

My blog is not intended to disrespect any American who served in the military. My point is that our government lied to us and we've been 'had.' They used us up and spit us out. They throw some medals on our chest to make us feel good and an invitation for a 'photo op' for them, but in reality they don't give a damn.

Fascinating! Doesn't have a thing to do with the story. C'mon AvgJoeTX step up with me to salute the brave Sergeant that fought in the war that G.W. Bush dodged.

Bush Jr. screwed over military families. What's your point?

You better check out Paul Ryan's budget plan that Romney endorses since it cuts out 80% of the VA's budget. Clinton's draft number was higher than Romney's so neither of them would have been drafted and Obama couldn't volunteer since he was just a child. We know now that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq didn't need to be fought, so in reality Clinton's downsizing didn't hurt the military, it was Rumsfeld saying to send too few troops with too little equipment.

Vietnam didn't need to be fought either, but Spinks went and sacrificed a lot in order to save a whole lot of his fellow soldiers. 44yrs late but the recognition was well earned that night so long ago.

People in and out of the military have been and will be arguing "what happened" in Vietnam for a long time.

When troops were initially introduced into Afghanistan, control of the country was in the hands of the Taliban, who at the time were fully supporting the terrorists camps of Al Queda. The US invasion destroyed the Taliban control and wiped out the Al Queda camps. You do remember that it was Al Queda that sent 15 terrorists to the US to take over various planes that ended up killing about 3,000 people in one day, right. That is more than died at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, which started WWII. At the time of the US invasion, Al Queda had effective control of the country and was planning additional attacks on the US and its allies.

I'm glad somebody finally did the right thing for Sgt. Spinks.

@AvgJoeTx~ Lyndon Johnson served during WW2 and also recieved a Silver Star. When President he certainly did expand the military from about 16,000 in '63 to over 550,00 in '68. Your lack of knowledge of US history is openly displayed for all to see.

VNNavy Vet '65 -'67

What you just said about Dick Cheney advising Mitt Romney is all the more reason to not vote for Romney. Cheney is what most people call a chicken hawk, as is Romney. Neither served in the military, but are more than willing to send the children of the poor to die to improve the financial statements of the companies they and their friends own.

How many children died or were maimed while Cheney's Halliburton stock options value went up 3000%?

You gotta wonder, what does Romney and Bain own, is it on his tax returns ?

What uniform did Obama wear? Or does he have his miltary records sealed like everthing else.

Not the forum here for your bulls**t. Go troll on the the dating sites you maggot. I can see you have never served, and most likely still live with your mom you POS! Americans are here to honor this hero.

Honor hero's 44 years later??..People like you are brain washed..Did you know they (Your Hero's)even killed babies?Or they shot there officer's because they really hate azzholes? Did you know the drugs run rampant because there buddie head was blown off..I know just ask a Combat Medic they have great stories to tell you.Did you know that Ex Crooked President Nixon wanted to drop the Big bomb on Vietnam?Did you know the US of Gays all most splint in two?

This guy in the picture could not look at the Camera he knows what we know...

I agree with you on the anger against those who would never put on the uniform being so quick to send our young men and women off to fight in another country.

Unfortunately, when we sign up in the Marines, Army, Air Force and Navy, we go where they tell us to go. Or go AWOL and run for the rest of our lives.

paragus--enough with the crap about baby killing in Vietnam. The soldiers who fought there, over 50000 of whom died, do not deserve this kind of lambasting. Didn't in the 70s and don't now. They fought for the people of the USA as well as Vietnam. They fought so you could have the right to malign them. But please STOP and thank a veteran for his or her service when you see one. Then get off the comment board.

Pargus, you sound like another of those armchair heroes who never served but think they have all the answers! This is one retired combat medic and Vietnam vet who is here to tell you that you are full of it! I do not need to tell stories. I was there and have seen enough horror and death that I hope or your children, if youhave any or ever have any never have to see. You really do have no clue of what you are talking about. Sgt Spink is a bonafide hero who is well deserving of the recognition and award, no matter when presented. That is something someone like you will never comprehend.

HM1/FMF USN/RET 1972 - 1993

Paragus,

If your so called "Combat Medic" buddies are telling you stories, then they are probably just that, STORIES, ( lies, fibs, tall tales ). Told to you by REMFs whom made them up so as to feel special. And your a dumb ass for falling for their bull@!$%# because you didn't know any better.

Quit playing with yourself and Get a life.

Just like Afghanistan they been there 10 years and as usual nothing is done...This guy wanted a medal for what? That he was stupid enough to sign his name and fought a conflict in which the US could not win...Yes they were babies killers, Just like the USA kills millions of babies each year!

Paragus, are you brain dead or did you just not read the article? This man never asked for a medal. In fact he was never even aware that he had been recommended for the award until a short time ago. So where do you get that he wanted a medal? So you think that everybody that served in the military in Vietnam is a baby killer? You have obviously never served and really have no clue and never will!

Thank you for your sacrifice for our country, and welcome home.

Thanks for your service SFC. 11B rules the battlefield!

Pffft...91B rules!!!!11B rules all right...They cant even win a war..

Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic? I am a bit confused. 11B as a rule does not travel by wheeled vehicles. Or at least we didn't in my day. If anything we would go by tracked vehicles or helicopter. Tracked vehicle we called Mechaized Infantry by air we called it Air Assault. Is this some new thing? Exactly how do Wheeled Vehicle Mechanics win wars?

You can't reason with a REMF. Ass in thee grass or put an apron on, and go help your mom in the kitchen!

Well said. Wasn't jungle warfare training in Panama just loads of sh*ts and giggles?

LOL They train in the Jungles to fight in the desert...

2yrs as an 11B and I never even saw a vehicle, wheeled or tracked, but 11yrs as a 13F in an ACR is a different story. 11B does rule as the Queens of Battle while us Redlegs rule as the Kings of battle :)

Paragus,

Are you stupid, ignorant or just acting that way to troll for responses? Jungle Warfare School was used to train for warfare in a jungle environment, Duh! Just like NTC, ( National Training Center ) was used to train for desert warfare, double Duh! Dalonega, GA.,( Mountain Phase ) in used for training in mountainous environments, triple Duh! 91B, what a joke. Next you'll be telling us you were a combat mess hall cook and that you were SCUBA and HALO qualified to serve chow under water or in free fall.

I am not even going to waste my time finding out what MOS 91B is. If it ain't 11 or 18 series, it don't matter. I'll take Retired SFCs word for it that it's something called " Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic ". HA! HA! HA!

USA could not win a war on its own...Matter a fact they loss the war/conflict..11B rules all right they ran the other way..

As of today the USA is the most hated nation in the World..Was not like that in the old days...So tell me what is wrong with this picture?

WAR Ranger3, all three of the above seem to apply to Paragus. He is in fact, just a sad little ignorant troll out to get a rise out of people. Like most trolls of his sort, if we ignore him and enough people report his comments as inflammatory he will be cut off and go away sulking like the immature person that he is. Heck, I'm actually having doubts that this individual is even American! If this guy was ever even in the U.S. military, he was probably sitting in a supply warehouse all day stateside somewhere issuing toilet paper from behind a counter!

Loved Panama for the schooling. Quite a step above Pison at Polk. Paragus doesn't require any more verbage here. 11 or 18 series MOS or your just a support role. Leave the real fighting to the professionals. Have to salute the Corp, and Navy medics for their galantry in this unappreciated endeavor. Ed, War, and SFC all know what's what. Keith you lost the sack and went big gun on us. WTF! HAGD all.

The other guy1, my thanks for your comments. I did my jungle training at Cubi Point in the Philippines in the early 70's. Had a ball, but what a head trip with the meal selections!

Its because America has forgot you 44 years later...Your General is living life off the Hog..How about you?

@pragus --- Was your mother retarded or was your father a stool sample? Looks and sounds like a coin slip!

I think Paragus gave himself a one up check mark because I don't think anyone else on here would.

Booby P****O**,

"after 44 yrs this vet can stand up proud once again"

Sgt. Spinks and yourself honorably served your country during an unpopular war. You and he are VETERANS! There was never anything that should have caused any loss of pride. My father was a Ranger in Vietnam and guided my military path the same way. As far as I see it, you, Spinks, my father and everyone else whom honorably served there should always be proud, no matter what some people say or do. A lot of it falls into the category of them being envious of something they did not have the fortitude to accomplish. In turn, they try to belittle or berate others whom did.

My hat of to you, Sgt. Spinks, and all the other Vietnam vets whom gave some or all!

And Paragus, why don't you take your little pansy ass back to Canada! Or maybe the French will take you!

How does it feel to make less money than your General as he is safe while you get shot...Where the logic in that? LOL

Way to go baby killers..Now you folks come out after 44 years later..Laughable..

Paragus,

Now I know you're just a TROLL. No matter what you say, you were never in the military. I am doing nothing right now so I will waste a few moments more on you. Generals ( flag officers ) 99% of the time started out as butter bars and worked their way up through the ranks, just like senior NCOs. They have been in the service for probably 25-35 years. Half of their life! They are paid for what they know, not what they do. They've paid their dues in the trenches and now make the big decisions. I started out making $685.00 a month as an E-1 in basic. I retired as an E-8 making 7 times that just in base pay. As with any job, you work your way from bottom to top if you know what you're doing, gut it out and live long enough. You probably wouldn't know anything about that though. From your posts, you sound like one of those little Occupy Wall Street jack offs. Wanting everything now, but unwilling to do what it takes to get it.

This is the last of the educating from me to you. You're just not worth the effort of moving my fingers over the keyboard.

Later TROLL, see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!