This Military Service Page was created/owned by
CWO3 Manuel (Manny) Vizinho
to remember
Marine 1stLt William Carroll Spradling.
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Contact Info
Home Town Hollis
Last Address Box 303 Hollis
MIA Date May 06, 1943
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Solomon Islands
Location of Memorial Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
SPRADLING, William C, 1STLT, O-13368, USMC, from Oklahoma, location Solomon Islands, date of loss May 6, 1943 (pm) + SPRADLING, William C, First Lieutenant, O-013368, USMC, from Oklahoma, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + SPRADLING, William Carroll, 13368, VMSB143, MAG12, 2ndMAW, FMF, Solomon Is area, May 6, 1943, killed in action (mc) + SPRADLING, William C., 1st Lieutenant, USMCR. Father, Mr. W.C. Spradling, Box 303, Hollis, Okla (na)
1stLt William C Spradling was declared Missing in Action on 6 May 1943.
Other Comments:
Body Not Recovered
Air Medal citation: "For heroism and extraordinary achievement as a pilot of a Torpedo Bombing Plane attached to Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron One Forty-Three, operating from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, during the periods from 17 Feb. 1943 to 1 April, 1943, and 1 May, 1943, to 6 May, 1943. Lt. Spradling participated in extremely hazardous missions of laying aerial mines in the waters of the Buin Area, South Bougainville, on the night of 21 March, 1943. Highly accurate navigation at low altitudes in bad weather and attacks in the face of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire and blinding searchlights were necessary for the success of the missions which were carried out as planned. On the night of 24 March, 1943, Lt. Spradling participated in an attack on Kahili Airfield, setting fires in the revetment and bivouac areas in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire. On 6 May, 1943, while attacking Munda, Lt. Spradling's plane was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and he crashed in flames on the runway after releasing his bomb. Throughout these attacks he displayed outstanding leadership, aggressiveness, bravery and airmanship. His courage, loyalty and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
