Edward W. Spinaio

Major Edward W. Spinaio was commissioned a Second Lieutenant Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 1-66, 14 January 1966. His first duty assignment was a Special Forces Officer Company E, 7th Special Forces Group (Abn), 1st Special Forces, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. | His subsequent duty assignments were: XO, Det A-429, 5th Special Forces Group 1st Special Forces, UARPAC, Republic of Vietnam; Chief, Patrolling Sub Com, Command Group Company, AIT Brigade USATAC Fort McClennan, Alabama; Senior Advisor, 34th Ranger BN CMD, U.S. Military Assistance Republic of Vietnam; Bn Advisor, III CTZ (CI), U.S. Military Assistance Command (SD 5911) Republic of Vietnam; Recon Company Commander, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces; Asst Bn XO, HHC 4th Bn, 1st Basic Combat Training Brigade, Fort Ord, California; Company Commander, A Co, 4th BN, 1st Combat Training Brigade, Fort Ord, California; Student Officer, 20th Company, 2d Student Bn TSB, Fort Benning, Georgia; Project Officer (USA Inf HRU) 72d Company, 7th Student BN, TSB, Fort Benning, Georgia; Student Officer, Student Det HQs, Fifth U.S. Army, Fort Sam Houston Texas. Major Spinaio was also assigned as the Special Assistant to the Commander, 267th Chemical Company, Johnson Island Atoll in the North Pacific from 1975-1976. | His military education consists of: Infantry Officers Advance Course class 5-71, Army Ranger Training, Jungle Operations Course and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. | His military awards and decorations include: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Stars w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Stars w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Soldier's Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm (Silver Star), Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachute Badge, and Vietnam Jump Wings. | Major Spinaio, deceased 16 April 1992, is interred at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery, Kaaawa, Hawaii.