Lester Atchley Sprinkle Jr (1922 - 1949)

Born 8 Dec 1922 in Fort Riley, Geary, Kansas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Florence M (Nowack) Messerli — married 19 Jun 1946 in yokohama, Japan

Died 7 Aug 1949 at age 26 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States

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Biography

Lester was born in 1922. He was the son of Lester Sprinkle and Beula Bartleson. He passed away in 1949.

Lester “Spike” Sprinkle passed away just as he had lived, cheerful to the last. His illness covering a period of almost a year failed to break his cheerful attitude toward those about him nor lower his spirits in any way. He was stricken at the flower of his early manhood and at a time when the future held in store for him everything for which a young officer could hope. His life was short but filled with those things which go to make a complete, successful and a happy one.

He was born at Fort Riley, Kansas, December 8, 1922, the son of Colonel and Mrs. Lester A. Sprinkle. His boyhood days were spent on various Army Posts, and he learned to know the Army from his daily life, associating with those who were doing the things which he hoped to do when he grew to be a man. His will to do was ever present and he met each problem with that determination which is so essential to win. Ever interested in athletics he started playing baseball at an early age. He became a member of an American Legion Junior League Team in Topeka and while playing baseball with that team pitched one no hit game and several one hit games.

As a child he attended kindergarten and grade school at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley, Kansas. His Junior High and first two years of high school were at the Junction City and Topeka, Kansas, schools. He then went to New Mexico where he completed his high school and Junior College education. While at New Mexico Military Institute he attained the rank of Cadet Major and commanded a cadet squadron at the time of his graduation. He played inter-class baseball and football and participated in other athletics from time to time. He excelled in horsemanship winning the advanced equitation trophy for the year 1940. As a member of the Cadet Honor Board, he did outstanding work. He was President of his graduating class and was awarded the Saber for that year—the Institute’s highest award for outstanding leadership. The year following his graduation was spent in Washington, D. C., where he attended Sullivan’s West Point Prep School.

He entered West Point July 1, 1942. His life as a cadet was patterned along the same lines as that he had previously lived. Constantly loyal to his friends, ever attentive to duty, cheerful and determined to accomplish his objectives. His rank at graduation was Cadet Sergeant. He was a member of the Cadet Choir for one year and was on the baseball squad for two years, pitching in several important games. Upon graduation June 6, 1945, he was commissioned in the Infantry and started his commissioned career in that branch.

After his graduation leave, he entered the Infantry School, Fort Bennlng, Georgia, as a student In the Basic Class and completed the work in that class. Upon graduation from the Basic CIass at Fort Benning, he was ordered to the Far East Command and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Tokyo, Japan. While in the Division he served in various troops of the 1st Squadron, 5th Cavalry and during the last few months of his tour commanded Squadron Headquarters Troop of the squadron. During approximately three months of this period he commanded the prison guard which transported the Japanese War criminals being tried from Sugamo Prison in Tokyo to Yokohama and return daily. As such he was responsible for some of the top Japanese War criminals for a considerable time. While with the Division he played on the 5th Cavalry Regimental Baseball team and the 1st Cavalry Division team.

On June 1, 1946, he married Florence Margaret Nowack of the Army Nurse Corps in Tokyo, Japan. Although he would seldom admit it, Spike was sentimental and loved tradition. When he planned his wedding the occupation of Japan was still in its rugged beginning, and it was taken for granted by many that there would be few of the little extras and niceties—but Spike worked doggedly for months, driving hundreds of miles through the rough countryside on off-duty time, until he had arranged for a wedding reception that could rival any for beauty and completeness. On December 30, 1948, a daughter Sandra Lee Sprinkle was born at Walter Reed Hospital.

In April of 1948 he was transferred to Fort Lesley T. McNair, Washington, D.C., and assigned to the 2nd Battalion 3rd Infantry. While with that Battalion he served in Companies “E” and “F”, and his last assignment was with Company “E” The soldiers who served under him admired him and obeyed willingly. They felt his sincere interest in their welfare, and many stragglers came back to the right path under his leadership. His devotion to duty and unit pride were infectious to those who served with him. He worked hard and conscientiously; still he was ever eager for athletic contests and social gatherings when the daily work was done. To those of us who grew up with him, Spike was always the leader. He was endowed with the ability to think clearly and with conviction. He set his goal early in life and pursued it honestly and forcefully. Spike’s desire to be a good officer was fulfilled—the resultant rewards were sure to have followed, though to him, the deeds rather than the rewards were important. In all respects, the Army has lost an outstanding officer who showed definite promise of an enviable career that might easily have been a history making one.

In June of 1948 he became ill and entered Walter Reed Hospital. After approximately a month he recovered sufficiently to return to duty. In October of 1948 it was necessary for him to return to the hospital. He took an active interest in so many things that each day was hardly long enough. Even during those long last months in bed, he found ways to brighten the hours—from following the hectic season of his St. Louis Cardinals to building model railroads. After a long and lingering illness he passed away August 7, 1949.

He is survived by his father and mother, Colonel and Mrs. Lester A. Sprinkle, his wife Florence M. Sprinkle, his daughter Sandra Lee, and by his sister Roseanne (Mrs. Claude) McQuarrie. To know him was to love him. His manliness, his courage, and his determination were real, natural and ever present. He lived to be happy and to make those about him happy, but with it all he was a soldier first. His every act and thought was for the military.

Funeral services were held in the Post Chapel, Fort Myer, Virginia, and surrounded by a host of friends, he was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery.

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49321680/lester-atchley-sprinkle