WILLIAM PATRICK SPRINKEL 

(William) Patrick Sprinkel Born April 1, 1946, Los Angeles, CA. Grew up in the Coachella Valley. Attended Coachella Valley High School and subsequently, College of the Desert. Sprinkel volunteered for the draft in 1967 and entered the Army, stationed initially at Ft. Bliss, Texas for basic training. Advanced Infantry Training was taken at Ft. Polk, Lousiana. While at Ft. Polk, Sprinkel applied for entry into Officer Candidate School (OCS). Although notified of being accepted to OCS, Sprinkel waited several months before being assigned to Ft. Benning, Georgia for Infantry OCS training. After the six month OCS program he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry and sent overseas to the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. In September of 1969 Sprinkel received orders sending him to Vietnam where he was assigned to the First Cavalry Division, An Loc, Binh Long province. Sprinkel was made Platoon Leader, A Company, First Platoon, 1/5. Sprinkel and his men were in combat in Binh Long province and participated in the move into Cambodia in 1970. Sprinkel returned home in June 1970. Sprinkel is currently retired. For over a decade he has been fighting various cancers caused by Agent Orange which he was exposed to while fighting in Vietnam.

Received the following citations/medals: Bronze Star with “V” Device (Heroism) Bronze Star for Meritorious Service Army Air Medal Army Commendation Medal Vietnam Service Medal National Defense Service Medal Combat Infantry Badge Good Conduct Medal Overseas Service Bar