John Gill Spellman

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Matt Schepps and Carl McNair on July 25, 2014:

LCA Report on the Passing and Final Honors for our Classmate, John Spellman, Company L2 Arlington National Cemetery -- 11:00AM -- Thursday -- July 17, 2014 John Spellman, USMA Class of 1955, passed away on Jan 14, 2014, at the Heart Homes Assisted Living Facility in Pasadena, MD, following a decade of ill health. In accordance with his wishes, he was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, hallowed ground upon and near which he had served for three years as a young Lieutenant in the Honor Guard Company of the Third US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Attending his funeral were four members of the Class of 1955, and one spouse, from four different companies and both the lst and 2d Regiments. Representing L2, was Matt Schepps who was the last classmate to visit John in the final years of his life, as chronicled by the picture on John's webpage on the Class website. Also attending were, Don Hilbert, F2, former Commander of the Old Guard and the Military District of Washington, who had served with John in their early days; Hugh Quinn, D2, who was in town for a family visit; and Carl McNair, E1. Don Hilbert was accompanied by his wife, Carla. In all, there were almost 100 people present, including key family members, led by Astrid Frey, John's daughter and next-of-kin who assisted him in his final years and handled the final arrangements along with her husband, Commander Michael Frey, USNR, and John's three grandchildren, Ryan, Owen, and Anne. John's son, Erik, was also present and delivered touching remarks of remembrance of his dad at the gravesite, following the rendering of honors, Taps and the final rifle salute. In addition to the Third Infantry soldiers on the Funeral Detail, there were other Old Guard officer representatives who paid their respects to their fallen comrade including COL Johnny K. Davis, the current Third Infantry Commander, as well as other retired members of the Regiment and now members of the Old Guard Association. COL Davis, not only attended the funeral, but also joined the luncheon/reception following at the Fort Myer Officers Club to pay his respects to the family and other attendees and express his thanks for John's service to our Army and the Old Guard. As reflected in his military record, John had a full career with a number of outstanding assignments including Aide to Chief of Staff, EUCOM, Commander of a Training Battalion at Fort Dix, NJ, Senior Advisor to the Saudi Arabian National Guard, joint duty with CINCLANT and SACLANT in Norfolk, VA, culminating his career at HQ TRADOC in 1983, where he was awarded the Legion of Merit upon his retirement after 28 years of active duty. And perhaps, a special assignment and honor accorded few of our graduates; John was selected for special duty as a White House Social Aide during his tour in the National Guard Bureau in the Pentagon, 1966-68, prior to his assignment in Vietnam with the lst Cavalry Division, 1968-69. Preceding John as a White House aide, also during President Lyndon B. Johnson's Administration, was another outstanding classmate, Ted Gay, Company K2, both "flankers" and handsome young Captains in their full Mess Dress, as they escorted dignitaries through the receiving line for official White House functions. "ZIP", as we all knew him, was a valued member of our Class of 1955 and will be remembered by his many friends and especially the tight-knit members of Company L2. May he now rest in peace, having done his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty, both in war and in peace - maintaining the standards of the Corps and the Corps and the Corps - always embracing the motto of our Alma Mater - DUTY - HONOR - COUNTRY! Submitted by Matt Schepps, L2, and Carl McNair, E1

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