TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN CORPSMAN OF THE VIETNAM WAR

[SuperSpectre1]

I was a "doc". I was AF, 432CSGP. I look at Bill's face, and just know that I knew him. I didn't, I know. I was in another place, but, after awhile, damn, the faces just look the same. I would have held ya buddy........Spectre1

[TellTheMarines]

If the Army or the Navy ever look on heavens scenes.

They will find a Navy Corpsman right beside his US Marines.

Semper Fi DOC

[CORPSMAN8404able]

I was stationed with Bill at Quantico Nav. Hospital until he left. We shared many laughs and downed more than a few brews at the Dixie Pig over the short time I knew him. We also were ward corpsmans on the Pediatric Ward. The # of missions he went and wanted to on shows what knd of guy Bill was, Never Forgotten

Doc Lerp Golf 2/26 69-70

[ThatRussianATaBAR]

Rest In Peace Soldiers Who Fought! T^T

[Panhead53]

RIP-Never Forgotten

[truckereleven]

Memorial Day Weekend, 2011. Bill, the yellow rose planted in your memory years ago is in full bloom this weekend reminding me every day of your ultimate sacrifice for our Marine brothers. On Monday, I will attend a ceremony in our little town park and quietly dwell on you and all the veterans that gave their lives that others may live.

[RogueWolf711]

A ftitting tribute to a "REAL" American Idol.

[truckereleven]

@RogueWolf711 Amen

[tho9900]

as a former Corpsman and a "Devil Doc" I have to wonder if I could go where he did.. Semper Fi Bill ..... you are one of the reasons my dad (former Marine) urged me to go HM when I was thinking about enlisting... never forgotten... 22nd MAU and 26th MEU here...

[GrantsLady]

Still holding on, Bill.

[cass121248]

Thank you for this post. Very moving.

I would so enjoy meeting an asshole that would thumb down this video. He wouldn't enjoy the experience.

[MrSurfingfun]

A great tribute to a dedicated Corpsman. I served with MAG - 16 1 MAW as a medivac corpsman 67-68 I just heard about Bill last year a friend Andy Thundercloud HM2 He called me and gave me the information on his death. Andy knew bill better than myself I was a HM3 never could het into the 45 club with all the E-5's. I am amazed at the number of missions he amassed I will alway remember him as a fallen warrior. JT

[cityhall2]

803 missions...RIP Corpsman

[sapphire60s]

What a haunting beautiful tribute. I enjoyed it very much and will remember this heroic young man. I am Australian but it matters not. I did not lose anyone in war and I am lucky. Rest in Peace all our servicemen and women, the ones who served, the ones who gave their lives in an endeavour that all may know the freedom our two countries enjoy. Prayers to the ones who are serving at this moment. May they fullfill your job, stay safe and come home again to their loved ones.

[marcusos1111]

my brother is a corpsman god bless him!

[19SMK67]

Semper Fi! Doc to Doc

[Zyworski]

Although I was opposed to the Vietnam War, I have to give the dust off pilots their due, flying into an LZ that is only tenuously secure is brazenly courageous.

[bongoritus]

Looks like a nice guy, too bad he died in the field...

[JudischerWolfsmench]

One of my sons has followed my footsteps as a Navy SARC, one came back in 2007 as a Fallen Marine. When his brother came home, Travis simply said that his Marines needed him, his brother would understand. He stayed in the field for another 7 months, then went to say good bye to his brother. Two months later he went over again and is still there. This Doc can rest easy, we have still got the Navy's best serving as Corpsmen.

[truckereleven]

On this 2010 Memorial Day, I would like to take a moment to remember Bill and all the veterans who died serving our country in all wars. Without them, the freedom we know today would not exist. I know Bill would agree with me to especially mention our WWII veterans. God bless them.

[jerry321999]

There's no way I could've ever Known HM2 Sperb, but I know I would want to. As a fellow HM (and HM2) , My hats is off to Bill!!! Thank you Truckereleven for that!

[nay0916]

I found Bill on Findagrave, Touching video, always smiling :)

[MrPalle53]

Thank you for the video.

HM3 Aleman 4th ANGLICO

[kinmapper]

Good work and a fine remembrance of a genuine American hero and fallen member of the United States Armed Forces,

I can only hope that many more men and women who gave so much in Vietnam (and other recent wars from WW II forward) will be honored with similar memorials here and elsewhere on the web.

As noted, there are not enough stars to distinguish your work nor the man you honored. It was chilling indeed if you watched and listened and thought and felt.

[penquinbum]

Semper Fi, Doc. The video sent chills up my spine. I have powerful memories of the work the HM's did with the guys we took out. Thanks to all. I didn't know you but you probably would have made a superb physician. 46 pilot. Lt. USMC HMM-263, Marble Mountain 1970

[truckereleven]

Thanks for your comments Lieutenant. If I remember 263 correctly your chopper logos were "gopher broke". When I speak to college students about the Vietnam War, I always tell them that the unsung heroes were the corpsmen and the medevac chopper pilots that set their birds down time after time on a dime under heavy fire and waited as a sitting target till all the wounded and dead were loaded. We all did what we could, but you guys have my undying gratitude. You were true heroes.

[skymonkey81]

My Father was a Purple Fox. was in Vietnam in 1969. I will have to see if he knew Bill.

[shaolinwarrior87]

"where angels and marines fear to tread, there you'll find a corpsman dead." because of HMs before me like Bill, he helped build a reputation for all HMs that comes after him like myself, and because of him, i am honored to be part of the Hospital Corps....HM3/ FMF

[truckereleven]

Jeann Andrews (PhilippineJeann), after seeing this video tribute to Bill, dedicated her recording of Amazing Grace to his memory. You can find it by searching for Amazing Grace Jeann. Thank you Jeann, it was beautiful.

[PhilippineJeann]

And I gave it the 5 stars but would give 1000 if it were possible! Jeann

[truckereleven]

Jeann, thank you so much for all your kind comments. Your tribute song to Bill was wonderful. I wish you all the success in the world. Bob

[PhilippineJeann]

Thank You so much for sharing this wonderful memorial! This was long before my time! If I had the chance I would certainly entertain those heroes whom are still fighting for our freedom today! Sir you certainly have touched my heart today! This video had my full attention from start to stop! Jeann

[ThePete65]

Thank you Sir , God Bless you and your family

[TunesNorth]

Thank you my brother for your service and sacrifice.

May you Rest In Peace.... forever in the arms of a grateful Nation.

Thank you for posting.

A Proud US Navy Veteran!

[DanOblacksmith]

Many believe the finest of our military are the U.S. Marines. They are wrong for that particular distinction rests soley and squarely with the hospital corpsmen who dare to follow the marines into harms way without weapons and with glaring disregard for their own personal safety, disdaining cover and exposing themselves at great peril so that wounded marines might be saved.

There are no braver and no more selfless among us...

[DanOblacksmith]

Semper Fi Doc !!!

[dnnylee]

To ALL Veterans God Bless you,,,,, the best job in the USN/USMC was Corpsman,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, HM3/8404

[Tinman458]

I once asked a dustoff crew why they didn't carry weapons on their aircraft. Their answer was that they could carry one less man if they did.

Vietnam Vet, 1970/71

[sgtcrab1]

PAX  US Army 65-68

[jadegizmo]

saw his memorial on. findagrave.

what a great guy.

r.i.p.

[misi101]

Semper Fi! Rip Heroe...

[steeleric69]

*sniff*

[MrJoe0601]

billy and living relatives a great medic has flown to heaven may god always bless you and yours

from a disabled medic who was there in 1967 with the 4th infantry division jan- jun wounded 3 times. you deserve all the praise and glory

[Texgame]

Rest in peace, Sir.

You are of my generation.

[answercalls]

THANKS BILL and to all the other DOCs out there that at times I think were a bit crazier than the marines they rescued I rarely cry when watching vietnam videos anymore but this one did it

[JAFO1950]

Hello

Thank you Bill i was in the Army Vietnam 68-69 Military Police supply Convoy Special Troops it has been 40 years I still feel it we all will miss you even though I dont know you I feel I do thank you Brother and god bless you and your Family Don SP/4 US Army

[mustang110390]

i dont know you either any connection to my father army robert swisher i would appreciate.  Known as Butch!

[chrisandrusty1]

I didn't know you but I know you. Doorgunner UH-1. The Navy thought they had you, but Brother, well, the best I can give you is Semper Fi.

Native Oregonion

Guide

God, please take of him

[ArizonaDesertPiper]

May God Bless all of the "Doc's" (medic or corpsman)past present and future for all of the lives they have and will save at the risk of their own. From and old vet

[underworldworms]

that was trueley moveing

[truckereleven]

Hey Bill. I just stopped by your virtual cemetery and thought I would also come here and leave a note. Can you believe its been 40 years since you left us. 40 years. I can't believe it. Time has flown by. Even though I think of you every day, I spend a little more time on Memorial Day each year thinking of what you accomplished. You were one of the bravest corpsmen I ever knew. RIP my dearest friend. Bob Spear

[pepper2840]

Time has stood still for me since i was a army combat medic in 71 in nam. I cry everyday with bad memories of friends lost.And those i tried to save! When i returned to "the world" i was met with hippies,peaceniks with baby killers signs on the tarmack at the airport! Forgive them GOD because they do not know what they do! Billy,my brother,you were never alone,i was you and we did the best we could! RIPBilly!SP-4 richard pepper USRA 9120 vietnam.

[r00bear]

Unbelieveable. I was just looking for videos for my documentary on the Huey UH-1 when I found it and this brought me to tears. Well done and R.I.P. Bill.

[abfirefighterchick]

Bob Spear,(creator of the video)

I agree with the comments below. There is a special section in Heaven for you and all of our armed service personnel, past, present and future, as well as their families.

I want to say something that so many of your fellow service men and women(and possibly you) didn't hear so many years ago.

"WELCOME HOME and THANK YOU for YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.

May GOD BLESS and KEEP YOU ALWAYS!

-a grateful American

[ibeleaf73]

I am a free human being, because of the sacrifices of these people. I thank you Bill, you gave all for the lives and freedom of others.

[wizart49]

a great tribute to a great hero.

[JamesEarlRayFan]

god bless you for what u did saving fellow marines god bless and R.I.P Semper Fi

[Senegal259]

God bless you. You are a modal to us all.

[ARMYMEN2133]

God Bless Bill. He was the true American Hero! May God lead to heaven in peace. No one should ever be disgrimnated because of what they did or what they do for a living. I would have been proud to have someone like him join the same squad as me when I join. God Bless all of our warriors past, present, and future!

[AndreRieuFans]

A VETERAN - whether active duty, discharged, retired, reserve or passed away - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America, for an amount of up to, and including their life. Thank You for your Service to our Country. May God Bless You. Rest in Peace My Hero.

[abfirefighterchick]

Well said my friend, well said!

[JamesEarlRayFan]

R.I.P bill from a fellow marine semper fi

[robiavvo66]

From Italy R.I.P. Bill a fallen hero

[ccherrx]

Rest in peace, Bill.

[huey180]

Great Tribute to a true Hero.

173rd AHC Danang 71-72

[4711StGermain]

Nice job with this tribute. So good to read these remarks, rather than all the trash Rambo talk so prevalent on youtube. Sincerely, Spec 5 medic, II corps, Pleiku, a long time ago.....

[cyberarmy007]

Good Video.

5***** Stars

Best regards from Germany ! ! !

[rondocbo]

The tribute is great! I will never forget Bill; I was stationed with him at Quantico,Va, he was the first to go to Nam and Jim Dohme and I were next. Jim went to 1st Marines and I went to 3rd Marines. Jim got a hold of me when Bill was killed and my CO gave me a 48 hour pass so I caught a choppper to Danang and Jim and I had a few beers and shed several tears. Our son is named after my two best friends;Jim & BILL,both with GOD. I WILL NEVER FORGET !! Thanks for the tribute--SEMPER FI

[Mattypsycho]

ill never forget him

theres a man who should be remembered

ill make sure hes remembered

[brycereed]

Bad ass!!! He died doing what he loved. As a medic I can only pray to be able to do the same!! God Bless you!!!

[soxbearshwks]

God Bless all the Corpsmen..

3rd Batt. 7th Marines ChuLai, RVN 10/65-11/66

[myangel1227]

What a wonderful man. He is not home with God enjoying the safety of paradise. Many men are still with their families because of this brave soul.May he truly Rest in peace and May perpetual Life shine upon him.

[simbared]

Excellent tribute to a true American hero. Thank you.

[truckereleven]

Jenny, a Dustoff pilot is the pilot of a medevac helicopter. His job is to fly into the battle zone and remove wounded and KIA soldiers or Marines. He flies with a co-pilot, a crew chief (who is also a door gunner) and a medic (or corpsman in the Marines). His chopper has no firepower of its own and many times they fly directly into the line of fire and rescue wounded marines while taking hits. They are the bravest of the brave...

[fawn2002com]

my god thanks for sharing i was with the 11th cav blackhorse 69-70 god bless this pilot

[MrRay47]

A fitting tribute for a man who sacrificed his own life so that others might live.

I was a Dustoff pilot and while I was hospitalized with wounds my regular crew chief was shot and killed on a mission. His name was Jack Lee Wolfe and he was in his third year in country flying Dustoff. Last year I did a tribute video to Dustoff. Now this has inspired me to do one just for Jack. Mahalo & aloha :) ray

[kswan3]

What a wonderful tribute. I have watched it about 15 times and it still brings tears to my eyes. My father is Bills older brother Calvin(Bud)Sperb and I just want to thank you and everyone that has reached out to him in the past couple of years, it has been a wonderful healing time in his life. It is good to see him smile again.

Thank you,

Karen Swan

[truckereleven]

Dear Karen, thank you for your kind words. It means so much to me to bring some good thoughts into your family. I have spoken to Cal since I posted this video and appreciate that your family informed him of my video. I knew that Cal went through some rough times, and am happy that I could do something to help ease some of the pain. Vietnam left marks on many survivors and their families that are invisible to the naked eye. Hopefully in time we will all be at peace with the past.

[iluvoy]

I loved the video. Bill was actually my great uncle that I never got to meet. I would have loved to though. Thanks again it was great.

[truckereleven]

Dear iluvoy, Thank you for leaving your note about Uncle Bill. You would have loved him. He was funny, happy and sometimes mischievous and I believe he would have been someone you really looked forward to seeing at family functions. Your family has a true hero in their tree. Bob

[ndbf88]

I am always near tears, when I see a situation like this. I was a Corpsmen with the 7th Marines, at the same time. We were about 30 - 40 miles southeast of DaNang. I assume his unit flew out of the NSA Hospital, just north of Marble Mountain. With that many missions under his belt, I feel comfortable his medivac chopper, helped pick up my dead and wounded, more than once. He earned his wings, on earht and in heaven.

Doc Dan

[71lincolncoupe]

I went to school with Bill, in Gresham. When he was in school he was a very quiet, shy young man. But you could tell even back then, that he cared about people very much. I noticed in the pictures that he was working way too hard. He was so skinny. God Bless Him ! Gloria Garrett

[truckereleven]

Dear Gloria, thank you so much for your comment. It means so much to me to be able to keep Bill's memory alive, not only among us Marines that treasured Bill for his outstanding committment to us, but also to keep his memory alive among his hometown friends.  Bill was a treasure. If Gresham has not honored him, they should, considering the record number of medevac missions he went on. Hundreds of rescued Marines would support that idea. And yes, Bill worked very hard, very very hard...

[yuchingkitten]

so sad to see this video and this remind me of many brave and bright young men died in the Vienam war.. They are the true Heroes..

[zladybug1]

When my husband and I watched this tribute we were both deeply touched. We felt chills all the way through and had tears in our eyes. What a precious young man Bill was!!! Thank God for

people like you who keep the memory of the heroes that we have lost ALIVE!!

[jankmonz]

Very Touching!