CSM Eugene Spencer was born 6 July 1939 in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Most recently he was residing in Dahlonega, Georgia.

During his 30 year military career, he served in the Republic of Vietnam with the 2nd BN, 8th CAV (Airborne) and the 1st CAV DIV. He served two tours in Panama and one tour in Alaska. His stateside duties were: Senior Drill Sergeant at Ft Gordon, Georgia; Intelligence SGT (NCOIC) of 1st BN/75th INF, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, 45th Co TSB, Fort Benning, Georgia; Operations SGT with HHC, 1st 503rd, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and HHC, 75th Inf Reg. He served as the CSM of HHC, 4/327th and commandant of the NCO Academy in Ft Richardson, Alaska, and Bde CSM of the 2nd BT Bde and 4th BT/AIT Bde, Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

CSM Spencer’s miliatray schooling included USASMA Class 21; ANCOC; NCOA; Drill Sergeant’s School; Pathfinder; Ranger; Airborne; Recondo; Canadian Jump School; Jumpmaster; AASLT School; JOTC; ITC; BTMS (EXT) and PLC. His military awards include the Legion of Merit; Army Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; National Defense Service Medal w/ Bronze Star; Presidential Unit Citation (Army-Air Force); Valorous Unit Award; Overseas Service Ribbon w/Num3; NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/Num4; Good Conduct Medal w/2nd OLC; Bronze Star Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal w/3 Service Stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Pathfinder Badge; Master Parachutist Badge; Overseas Service Bar; Ranger Tab; Drill Sergeant ID Badge; Air Assault Badge; Combat Infantryman Badge; Parachutist Badge, Canadian.

CSM Spencer was of the Catholic faith and a member of the Masonic Lodge Electric City of Columbus, Georgia. He died on 2 October 1992 in Dahlonega, Georgia.

From a fellow soldier:

I served with Gene Spencer (then MSgt) during his assignment as Operations Sergeant, HHC 1-503^rd Infantry, 101^st Airborne Division.  He was my boss at the time and one of only a handful of people I would call a mentor.

I am writing today to tell you about the man, the leader, within the uniform.  Although it has now been twenty years since I last spoke to him, I can remember his image and his words of advice as if I had spoken with him yesterday.  To me, he represented the very best example of a leader, a soldier, an infantryman and a Ranger.  He spent countless hours teaching young soldiers like me the tricks of the soldier trade that he had learned the hard way.  On many occasions, he would spend his off duty time teaching more advanced field craft to those of us who were assigned to him.  He didn’t do so because he had to.  To use his words, he did so “because this shit will save your life somebody, so listen up.” He always took care of his men.  I can think of an example where he, as a Master Sergeant, went toe to toe with the Battalion Commander to defend a Private First Class when he saw an injustice.

He taught us the meaning of being “squared away.”  For example, I remember one week long training exercise.  All week long we dealt with high temperatures and continual rain.  The constant rain was so bad at times, I have a picture of a Gamma Goat buried past its axles in the mud.  One of the things I remember most was the morning of the fourth day.  We were all filthy and most of us were dealing with bad cases of heat rash and generally looking pretty sad when we looked up and saw MSgt Spencer come out from under his poncho hooch.  To our amazement, he looked as though he had just had a shower and as usual, his BDU’s were clean and pressed even though he had been living out of his rucksack for four days.  During that same exercise he gave me one of the most significant compliments of my life to that point.  We were tasked to prepare defensive fighting positions. When I completed mine, I asked Msgt Spencer to inspect my work, he replied “Not no, but hell no, I’m not going over there without a map.  You’re too damn sneaky and god only knows what kind of unpleasant surprises you have in store for me.”  Given the man’s experience and training, I accepted his comment as the compliment it was meant to be.

He personally taught his men the true meaning of leadership, both in words and deeds. He taught us all that leadership extends beyond being a boss.  He taught us that a true leader sets an example for his men to follow.  He taught us that a leader is a mentor that openly shares his wisdom and experience to the uninitiated.  Most of all, he taught us that a leader provides an environment that allows his men to grow and excel.  I will never forget him, his influence has remained with me to this day.  I am proud to have known him and I am proud to have served under him.

Respectfully submitted by S. Gilbert

If you have information on Gene Spencer
and/or a photo, please send it to
the USMRA at
info@usmountainranger,org