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LT MALCOLM L. SPENCER
Forward Observer, XO - "A" Battery
1966 - 1967
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Malcolm Lang Spencer, 79 of Mechanicsville, MD,
formerly of Boston, MA passed away on April 5, 2019 in Charlotte Hall, MD. Born
on October 29, 1939 in Boston, MA he was the son of the late Margaret Lang
Spencer and Donald Spencer. Malcolm was the loving husband of Lois Marie Spencer
whom he married on July 2, 2005 in the Charles County Courthouse, La Plata, MD.
He is survived by his children; Morgan Lang Spencer of Pope, MS, step-daughter
Angel Cole of Mechanicsville, MD, step-son Shawn Buckley of Port Tobacco, MD and
4 grandchildren. Also survived by his siblings Ambrose Spencer and Charles
Spencer.
Malcolm graduated from Buckingham Browne & Nichols Upper School. He also
graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business
and Science. He moved from North Carolina to St. Mary’s County MD 2 ½ years
ago. Malcolm was employed as an Operating Room Surgical Assistant/Technician for
Southern Maryland Hospital and Civista Hospital for 18 years, retiring November
3, 2007. Malcolm served in the United States Army for 27 years from November 13,
1961 to November 30, 1988. His duty station was Walter Reed Army Medical Center,
Washington DC. While serving in the United States Army, Malcolm was awarded the
Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National
Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of
Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Civic Action Badge, Republic of Vietnam Cross of
Gallantry, Good Conduct Medal Bronze, Clasp w/5 Loops, Army Achievement Medal,
Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development
Ribbon, Expert Badges w/M-16 Rifle and Hand Grenade Bars, and Meritorious
Service Medal. Malcolm enjoyed reading listening to music, the Theatre (plays
and Operas), playing the piano, backgammon, and card games. In addition, he was
a Wrestling fan and Boston Red Sox Baseball fan.
A Graveside Service will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
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In loving memory of my husband, Retired
Major Malcolm L. Spencer, whom wrote this to his parents about the “Steel
Helmet”. This is also dedicated to all soldiers who serve in Any War! My
husband was a Great writer and story teller.
Dear folks,
We have set up a company base at the western end of this wide valley about 6
miles S.E. of Bong Son. From here two platoons go out during the day and two at night.
Since I have three Forward Observer teams (myself and my R.T.O. my Recon Sgt,
and a 4.2 in mortar F.O. and his RTO). I plan to rotate us so that we work 12
hrs on and are off 24. I guess you know who got the first full days rest. Tell
Garka that his letter enriched the mind, uplifted the soul and gladdened the
heart. I do so love the phrase “Volens Volens”. I hope all came out well for
him at the hospital.
THE STEEL HELMET
I have decided to write a series of pieces (for any periodical that will publish
them), mostly in a humorous vein but explaining little known bits of info on how
the men in the trenches live. I entitled my first:
“THE STEEL HELMET”
Most of you out there in civvy-land have never seen a steel helmet or “pot”
as it is called by the men in the trenches, and you probably never will. A lot
of you may say, “Oh yes, that’s the thing the boys wear to keep their heads
in one piece.” Of all its uses this is most definitely not the most important
or even the most plausible.
First, the steel helmet may deflect a B-B. It isn’t too awfully thick and
bullets any larger than a .22 short will, I’m sure, (well, you can guess).
Secondly, the liner inside the pot brings the rim of the pot level with one’s
eyes so that only a small percentage of the cranium is protected! By now you are
wondering does this hemispherical piece of tin junk have any use at all? But of
course!!
The most important and easiest to visualize is the steel pot’s use as a seat.
Unless one is an oriental and can adroitly assume that awful squatting position
which is very hard on the knees, one must find a seat to be comfortable. What is
quicker than to reverse the position of the pot, drop it on the ground and sit
on it. Remember to turn it sideways to reduce the instability of the thing. In
this ease one is able to listen to services in the field, eat, be briefed and
de-briefed, and in those quiet times provide a spot for quiet contemplation.
Remember, too, to sit facing the sun. Shining from the rear onto the pot, the
sun produces a sensation akin to having one’s derriere fried!
Have you thought of the problems that arise out of trying to keep clean. If you
guessed that with the helmet liner removed the pot becomes a wash basin, you are
100 % correct. Some trifling problems are inherent in this use. If the pot is
new and round and has not yet been dented by other clumsy riflemen swinging
their weapons freely in the underbrush, then one has to either dig a small
depression in the ground (this, too, can be accomplished with the pot) or
surround it with rocks so it will not tip over midway through one’s toilette.
If you’re not used to shaving in cold water the pot also can serve as a kettle
in which the shaving water can be heated over a heating tablet. The soap scum
and whiskers that remain inside after the water has been dumped, can be wiped
out with the bright green camouflage cover which covers the outside of the pot.
Always remember to dry it thoroughly after use or the few remaining ounces of
wash water will drip quietly into your eyes and down your neck. The last and
most misunderstood use of the steel pot is that of a hammer. A great many people
vent their frustrations by smashing their pots against anything solid. This can
be painful if you forget to remove it first. However, in the “off the head”
position and in the hands of other than a manic depressive it can be a most
effective sledge or hammer….. can be built, stakes pounded into the ground.,
etc. a word of caution, however. The prolonged and heavy usage of the pot in
this fashion makes it difficult to wear. In fact, it is not unusual to see men
banging away at their helmets in an attempt to complete the inversion of the
rounded portion. Also, unless one is prepared to pay for this item, this use
should be limited to emergencies or at least to the hours of darkness when it
becomes difficult to see who is mistreating his equipment.
Finally, it has been reported that while a certain soldier was in the midst of
his bathroom business and because his weapon had been placed too great a
distance away, his steel pot was used to subdue a V.C. who surprised him at his
cathole. I feel this last must be apocryphal but who knows. At any rate, those
ingenious men who finally invented the steel pot could not have envisaged the
many and varied uses of the steel pot. All hail to ingenuity!
FINIS
Well, pretty spotty for a first opus but you can easily see the trend the others
might follow. For instance, the SOCK, the SLING, etc.
This correspondent remains your ever faithful son.
Malcolm
TRIBUTE TO LT SPENCER
Lt Malcolm Spencer was a great officer and friend. He replaced me as the Executive Officer of "A" Battery in October, 1967 as I had completed my tour of duty and he was chosen as my replacement. We stayed in touch briefly after he returned home. He had one of the most compelling, deep voices I've ever heard. A very nice individual.
submitted
by
Lt Dennis L. Dauphin