A Son's Military Heritage
Story & photos by Maj Herb Porter
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An ordinary "pinning" ceremony turned extraordinary recently for one particular member of the 111th Air Support Operation Squadron, at Camp Murray, WA. The unit was convened to recognize former Captain Ross N. Springer, the Chief of Maintenance, on his promotion to the field grade ranks. During his address to the members, Major Springer used the opportunity to recognize to two special people in his own life that were seated in the audience.
Using Veteran’s Day as a spring board to his remarks, Major Springer wanted to take this opportunity to honor two veterans who had served during times of conflict, helping to defend our country. He wanted to share this special occasion to pay tribute to his father, Dr. James Springer, and his uncle, Mr. Ed Siler, both veterans of World War II.
These two men fought in the Pacific Theater against Japanese forces until the end of the war. In addition, he wanted to share some thoughts regarding his familial heritage and how several generations of his extended family had served in this nation’s history.
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Edward E. Siler, fought in Luzon in the Philippines as part of the U.S. 5th Army. He also served in Japan during the crucial occupation days after the war. In addition he saw action during the Korean Conflict and during part of the Vietnam Era. He completed a 28-year military career as a Chief Warrant Officer, working on missile site inspections.
Similarly, Dr. James Springer, served as an Infantryman on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines and was later involved in the Okinawa campaign with the U.S. 10th Army.
Though he never talked much about the war, Dr. Springer did tell his family that he was the only one in his squad that returned unharmed. He finished his military service as a Corporal.
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After the war he went to college on the GI bill, and for 41 years served as a small town physician having turned his talents to healing people. Major Springer truly believes that his father’s decision to become a doctor was, in part, due to his personal experiences in the Pacific Theatre.
As military historians attest, the Okinawa campaign was one of the bloodiest in terms of the cost of American lives. The United States suffered 48,000 casualties during the three-month campaign, compared to the 55,000 lost during the entire Vietnam War. As preparations were made for the final push on the Japanese home islands, uncle Ed Siler was scheduled to be in the first assault wave and Dr. James Springer was going to be part of the 5th assault wave. Fortunately, the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki precluded an invasion of Japan. It is said that between 500,000 and 1,000,000 U.S. casualties would have occurred had the proposed invasion been carried out. No doubt, Uncle Ed and Dr. Springer would have been in that number.
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As a token of appreciation and gratitude, Major Springer presented his dad and uncle with official commemorative plaques and flags that were flown over the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, HI, together with special 111th ASOC unit coins presented by Lt Col John Tuohy, squadron commander.
Major Springer also made mention of his father-in-law, Retired Sergeant Major Donald Salisbury, and his brother-in-law Joseph Salisbury, a Southeast Asia veteran, who served in Thailand.
Over the years both have served as role models, having been supportive of Major Springer’s career in the military, both as an enlisted member and officer.
He concluded his remarks by noting how the National Guard has a closeness that resembles a family. Major Springer then went to talk about his family heritage and how different generations of "Springers" have served in every conflict in this nations history.
To begin with, seventeen Springers fought in the American Revolution. One in particular was Captain Nathaniel Springer, who was killed in action in 1780. He was a member of the Maine Militia. There was also Henry Springer who served in the Ohio Militia during the War of 1812. There were numerous Springers who served and died on both sides of the Civil War. In the battles of Murfreesboro and Shiloh, Confederate and Union Springers fell in defense of their beliefs. Several generations later, Charles Harold Springer, Seaman 2nd Class, US Navy, lost his life on the U.S.S. Arizona on December 7th, 1941. William Springer, Dr. James Springer’s brother, landed in Normandy four days following D-Day, fought in Bastogne with General Patton’s Third Army during the Battle of the Bulge, and went across southern Germany into Czechoslovakia for the liberation of that country. On the Vietnam Memorial, "The Wall", there are the names of six Springers who died there. One of them, Louis Daniel Springer, was killed in an ambush one week before has was to return home to Texas. Another Springer, Major Walt Springer, served in Vietnam and retired from the Air National Guard’s 262nd Combat Communications Squadron in Bellingham, WA.
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As for Major Ross N. Springer, he is an active duty Vietnam Era Veteran and was in the 262nd CBCS during the Gulf War, prior to coming to the 111th ASOC in Camp Murray.
Major Springer finished his tribute to his father and uncle by some excerpts from General Douglas MacArthur famous speech in which he addressed the West Point Cadets in 1962, entitled, "Duty, Honor, Country" and Lt Col McCrae’s famous poem "In Flander’s Field" in honor of Veteran’s Day.
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