The Charles C. Lilly American Legion Post 149 was filled with food and family on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 22, for the presentation of medals to a World War II veteran.
During the afternoon ceremony, Marshall Walker Spaulding, Jr., 93, who currently lives in Edgecomb and previously resided in Waldoboro, was presented with medals for his wartime service.
At the conclusion of the ceremony attended by Patricia Aho, representing Senator Susan Collins, and State Senator Chris Johnson, Spaulding’s three medals were pinned on to his shirt by members of his family and the American Legion.
The medals included the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.
Johnson spoke of his appreciation for Spaulding’s service.
Aho also thanked Spaulding for his service and presented him with a United States flag which had flown over the nation’s capital in his honor.
Representing the American Legion during the ceremony was Lincoln County Commander Alfred McKay who read a short biography on Spaulding and Vice Commander Zakia Thiesen of Post 149, who presented Spaulding with one of his medals.
The presentation of the full collection of earned medals to the 93-year old veteran was the result of a combined effort from his family.
The effort culminated when his niece, Rhonda Kinney, was discussing getting a missing ribbon for her uncle’s Navy veteran’s cap at the Farmington Fair. Kinney subsequently spoke with Senator Tom Saviello, R-Wilton, and from there was eventually able to help Spaulding receive his medals.
“It snowballed into getting the medals,” Kinney said.
Born in Dover-Foxcroft on Feb. 28, 1922, Spaulding was the second of eight children for his parents, Marshall Walker Spaulding, Sr. and Hazel Hewitt Spaulding.
He graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1940 and got a job at the Fay-Scott Machine Shop in Dexter.
Spaulding married his wife, Martha Willard, in March of 1943. The couple would be married for 61 years and have four children.
In addition to his children, Spaulding’s family includes 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
In June of 1944 Spaulding, who initially was unable to join the military to due his trade, Fay-Scott produced equipment including radar for the military, enlisted in the United States Navy.
During the war Spaulding served in the Pacific Theater as a seaman, a Seabee, a torpedoman and a machinist’s mate.
His service in the Pacific included participation in the Philippines Campaign (1944-1945), when the former American commonwealth was liberated from Japanese occupation.
Spaulding said he transitioned to a machinist’s mate since it offered him a chance to advance his naval career.
“There was no room for advancement as a torpedoman,” Spaulding said.
Following the war he was stationed in California and was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer 2nd Class in 1946, when he returned to his job at Fay-Scott.
He would later start his own exterminating business, working throughout central Maine before retiring in 1984.
Spaulding is not the only member of his family to serve during the Second World War. Spaulding’s brother Aubrey Spaulding served as an aviation radioman and gunner on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, his brother Merle Spaulding as a controlman on the cruiser USS Helena and his brother Harlan Spaulding serving in the fleet post office and communications.
Harlan would also serve in the Korean War.