35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  SP4 James Maynard Spence    In memory of our fallen brother

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother"



Alpha Company
1st Battalion
35th Infantry Regiment

Vietnam War


"Not For Fame or Reward
Not For Place or For Rank
But In Simple Obedience To
Duty as They Understood It"

National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal



The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SP4 James Maynard Spence, who died in the service of his country on February 27th, 1966 in Darlac Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Grenade Accident. At the time of his death James was 28 years of age. He was from Savannah, Georgia. James is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 05E, Line 84.

The decorations earned by SP4 James Maynard Spence include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.


Provided by the "Savannah Morning News")

From the "Savannah Evening Press", Wednesday, March 2, 1966

A Savannahian who was serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam has died of wounds he suffered when a grenade accidentally discharged.

The victim was Specialist 4 James Maynard Spence, 28, son of Mrs. Marion Lucille Spence of 649 E 39th Street. A taxi driver delivered a telegram to her home Sunday evening informing her of her sons death.

Mrs. Spence said that her son had served for four years in the U.S. Air Force before joining the Army. He had served in the army for seven years. The victim had attended Savannah High School and Bull Street Baptist Church before entering the service.

Besides his mother, Spence is survived by two brothers, Robert and Johnny Spence; two sisters, Mary Spence and Edna Spence, and his maternal grandmother Mrs. Lou Bishop of Compton, CA.

The military funeral services were conducted at the Bull Street Baptist Church by Rev. Leroy Cleverdon and the Rev. Gerald Hagerty. Burial was at Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park.