[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 58 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E610-E611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING SERGEANT LAFAYETTE SPRADLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2012

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Chowchilla Post 9896 Life Member Sergeant Lafayette Spradley. 
Sergeant Spradley served the United States of America honorably with 
the U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division in the Vietnam War.
  Sergeant Spradley was born in Madera, California on November 24, 
1943. Sergeant Spradley attended local Madera schools and enlisted in 
the U.S. Army in August of 1961. He completed basic training at Fort 
Ord, and was selected for communications training. Upon completion of 
communications training, he was assigned to work as a wireman. After 
additional stateside duty, he served with the 3rd Infantry Division 
before joining the 76th Artillery of the 3rd Infantry Division in 
Kitzingen, Germany.
  In 1965, he returned to the U.S. for duty with the 4th Infantry 
Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. In July 1966, Mr. Spradley deployed 
to Pleiku, Vietnam. His unit was responsible for laying communication 
wire to fixed installations and forwarding operating bases in the 
Central Highlands region. He later served with Company ``C'' of the 1st 
Battalion of the 12th Regiment as a Communications Sergeant.
  Throughout his service in Vietnam, Sergeant Spradley served with the 
4th Division in combat operations in the western Central Highlands 
along the border between Cambodia and Vietnam. His unit was frequently 
assigned to missions to repair communications equipment damaged by 
enemy artillery and mortar fire.
  In May 1967, Sergeant Spradley completed his tour in Vietnam and 
returned to the United States. He was discharged at the Oakland Army 
Base. For his service, Sergeant Spradley received the National Defense 
Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with a 
Bronze Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, two awards of the 
Army Occupation Medal, and the Sharpshooter Badge for the M 14 Rifle.
  Sergeant Spradley returned to the Chowchilla area where he attended 
Merced College. He was employed as a line operator by Certainteed 
Corporation for 27 years until his retirement. He and his wife, Marion, 
have three children, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He is 
a Life Member of Chowchilla VFW Post 9896, and he enjoys traveling with 
his wife.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Sergeant Lafayette Spradley 
for his honorable service to our great country, and wishing him the 
best of luck and health in his future endeavors.

[[Page E611]]



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