JAMES HERBERT SPENCER A look back

Pfc. James Spencer, from Poland, was killed in July 1967 of a wound from rifle fire near Quang Tri, South Vietnam, less than four months after enlisting in the military. He was honored Saturday with a ceremony to name the bridge on U.S. Route 224 in Poland after him. Some facts about his life:

Served with the A Company, 1st Amtrac Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.

Was part of Operation Hickory, which was responsible for conducting infantry sweeps between the Cua Viet River and the Demilitarized Zone.

Received his training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Parris Island, S.C., and Camp Pendleton, Calif., before leaving for Vietnam on March 27, 1967.

Worked three months for Republic Steel before enlisting in the Marines.

Was a member of Poland High School’s Class of 1966 and Poland Presbyterian Church.

Sources: Vindicator files, Patricia J. Spencer-Kleinknecht (sister)