Colonel Spencer T. Hockaday O449046
Colonel Spencer Thurston Hockaday “El Lobo” O-449046 US Army. He was born on November 29, 1921 in Lanexa, New Kent County, Virginia, the son of George Emerson Hockaday and Ella Spencer Hockaday. Spencer Hockaday married Clara Ann Phipps on April 22, 1943. They had a son Glenn. He entered the US Army on November 29, 1940, on his 19th birthday. He Completed Virginia Military Institute in 1942 and was commissioned an officer.
In June 1943 he joined the 63rd Division. He was one of the original members of the 63rd Infantry Division and served as Cadre. In August 1943 he was transferred from the 63rd Division Artillery to Battery B, 861st Field Artillery Battalion, 63rd Infantry Division. He trained at both Camp Blanding, and Camp Van Dorn Mississippi with the 63rd Division. He went overseas with the Division. On February 24, 1945 he earned his 1st Silver Star Medal when he was serving as the forward observer for F Company 253rd Infantry 63rd Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Auermacher, Germany. Lieutenant Hockaday remained in his position as forward observer after direct enemy artillery fire from self-propelled guns had forced the infantry to retire to a rear defensive position. He directed artillery fire on these self–propelled guns until they were within one hundred yards of him. Although under constant enemy fire, Lieutenant Hockaday succeeded in holding this armored attack until the infantry was securely entrenched. He was wounded in this action.
He earned his 2nd Silver Star Medal on April 6, 1945 when he was serving as the forward observer for F Company, in Buchhof, Germany. When Company F, were subjected to strong enemy counterattacks, supported by intense artillery, small arms, automatic weapons fire and tanks. All infantry officers but Lt. Holmes were killed or wounded. Lieutenant Hockaday, the forward observer, took command of part of the company, organized defenses, placed accurate artillery fire upon the enemy and help repulsed the counterattacks.
He left the 63rd Infantry Division on June 30, 1945, for the 100th Infantry Division. After the war he stayed in the US Army and served in the Korean War and the Vietnam war. He retired from the US Army in 1975 after 35 years of service at the rank of Colonel.
He was awarded The Silver Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart Medal, the American Defense Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), the National Defense Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal (awarded in 1971 in South Vietnam) and many other awards. He died on July 25, 2001 in Williamsburg, Virginia, at the age of 79.
63rd Infantry Division Records
63rd Infantry Division General Order 34
63rd Infantry Division General Order 51
63rd Infantry Division General Order 133
63rd Infantry Division General Order 669
the Vietnam War, Awards and Decorations of Honor, 1965-1972
Richmond, Virginia Newspaper Tuesday, May 18, 1943
Newport News, Virginia Newspaper Wednesday, August 01, 2001
Williamsburg, Virginia Newspaper Wednesday, August 01, 2001
Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond, Virginia · Wednesday, September 24, 2008
the Arlington, Virginia, U.S., Arlington National Cemetery, 1861-2024
the U.S., Veterans’ Gravesites, ca.1775-2019
the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010
Virginia, Marriage Records, 1936-2014
Virginia military institute 1942 yearbook
GO 51
GO 133
GO 669