Air Crewman/EOD Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Spencer Nelson (Birthday unknown - June 28, 2014)
I first met Spencer in Dive School(Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City, FL). We were part of the original EOD Dive class in 1990 when they developed specific curriculum for Explosive Ordnance Disposal(EOD) Divers. I recall the class had several EOD Assistants. They were there to get the mixed gas training (MK16 UBA). On the first day there were a few of us the were wearing our whites vice BDUs. We sat mostly together. Spencer was one of the first persons I met in EOD. I did not finish that class with Spencer and he went on to Phase I EOD (Eglin AFB) training before me. We would meet up again at Phase II EOD (Naval Ordnance Station, Indian Head, MD) when I moved in to the barracks and Spencer and I were roommates. As a roommate Spencer was no drama. He was a few years older than me and kept me in line - which may surprise most. Spencer worked hard and on liberty - played hard. Spencer left school for his first tour at EOD Mobile Unit THREE, San Diego, while I went on to EOD Mobile Unit NINE, Mare Island. I would encounter Spencer on several exercises RIMPAC and Bell Thunder. We would also cruise on the USS Juneau (LPD-10) joining with ships from Amphibious Group Two. The Juneau was a member an amphibious task force to conduct Mine Countermeasures surveys of South Korea Ports Incheon, Pohang and Busan.
“Good friends take action when you can’t do it yourself” - Anonymous.
I will always be grateful for meeting and becoming friends with Spencer. While at school in Indian Head, I had a car payment that required me to moonlight as a bartender at Mutts Bar and The Holiday Inn. I also had a female friend that socialized with me. After an incident where I put her car in a ditch after closing time - Spencer decide it was time to talk to this friend. After several days I finally ran into her. I asked her, “Where have you been - your not avoiding me are you.” She said, “Actually I am. Your roommate told me I was not good for you and that we could not be friends anymore.” As circumstance would have it, the next lady I dated became my wife for the last 28 years. Spencer, I will always miss your cheerful nature and advice. RIP brother.
(Provided by Veteran and Navy EOD Technician Rich Gray) For Phase 1 graduation in Panama City, Spencer paid a pilot to fly over our graduation pulling a banners. "EOD RULES! ROPE DIVERS SUCK MUD!" Our EOD types present were quite entertained. The "other" diver types, not so much. RIP brother Spencer.
Photos of Spence (Foreground) while deployed for RIMPAC 94 (USS Juneau in background), for some R&R during EOD School Phase II (Indian Head, MD), with longtime friend Mike Green (Vieques, PR), and picture on the USS Juneau somewhere in the Pacific (USS Guardian and USS Patriot trailing)
Please consider honoring Spencer with a pledge or donation to Challenge - Run2022Miles4EODWF. Spencer is one of several shipmates that is no longer with us today. 22 Veterans commit suicide a day. Intervention and support is the key to changing this. COVID has decimated our support bridge. Let not another shipmate and warrior pass if we can make a difference.
Please share the link for supporting Challenge - Run2022Miles4EODWF
You can donate directly below or send me a message if you are able to make a pledge.
https://weblink.donorperfect.com/2020MoreThan22ReasonsToRun
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Prior Memorials:
EN1 Frederick I. Flinchbaugh (Freddy) November 8, 1969 - June 2, 2001
SK1 Glenn "Tripp" Darrow 31 July 1962 - 6 May 1995
Aug 23, 2020 https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/week-we-memorializing-sk1-glenn-tripp-darrow-31-july-1962-jim-ryan
EODCM John P. Siegel (5 Oct 1965 - 6-Oct-2012)
Aug 17, 2020 https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/eodcm-john-p-siegel-5-oct-1965-6-oct-2012-jim-ryan
HTCS Irvin John Adam "Bo" Treadway, Jr., (1961 - 1997)
Aug 10, 2020 https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/htcs-irvin-john-adam-bo-treadway-jr-1961-1997-jim-ryan
Golden West HF Director of EOD Operations
4 年Spence was a fantastic person, and a great friend. I miss him tremendously.
Chief Executive Officer at Golden West Humanitarian Foundation. Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician.
4 年Spencer's last job was working for the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation. He was a great guy and did amazing work for us in CONUS and in Cambodia. His loss came as a complete surprise. I spoke to him on Wednesday, when he told me how much he enjoyed Golden West and was so happy to be involved in the work we do. On Saturday he was gone. Please don't take anyone for granted. He is still in our thoughts and is missed.
Environmental, Health, & Safety Manager @ Airbus US Space & Defense
4 年I worked with Spencer on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands after he got out of the service. He was a class act all the way! He'll be missed!
Professional Services | Project Solutions | Advisory | Veteran | Regular Guy
4 年RIP Brother!