Local Marine Awarded Silver Star For Iraq Actions

CINCINNATI -- Billy Spencer’s stepmother said her son was the type of boy would run into the street to save a dog from being hit by a car.

So she wasn’t surprised to learn he ran into gunfire to save a wounded Marine during combat in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Billy Spencer was killed Dec. 28, 2006, while trying to save his squad leader, and the U.S. Marines awarded him with a Silver Star, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors.

“This means to me the Marine Corps feels the way I do about him,” said his father, Dave Spencer.

Although the medal won’t bring their son back, the Spencers said it offers some comfort.

“How many opportunities are you going to have to touch one?” said Dawn Spencer. “I rub it all the time.”

The Silver Star is the military’s third-highest honor, and most of Billy Spencer’s fellow Marines attended the award ceremony.