Army Pfc. Clinton E. Springer II

Remember Our Heroes

Army Pfc. Clinton E. Springer II, 21, of Sanford, Maine

Pfc. Springer was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Sept. 24, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan, in a non-combat-related incident.

FORT DRUM — A 10th Mountain Division infantryman died in Kabul, Afghanistan on Friday. The cause of death is under investigation.

Private First Class Clinton E. Springer II, 21, of Sanford, Maine, came to Fort Drum in July 2009 and was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 22 Infantry Regiment and was on his first deployment.

His unit is part of 1st Brigade, which is expected to return from Afghanistan early next year, a division spokesman said.

Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci announced he will order flags to be flown at half-mast on the day of the soldier's funeral, which has not yet been announced.

A soldier whose father lives in Sanford died last week in Kabul, Afghanistan. Gov. John Baldacci's office says Private First Class Clinton E. Springer II, 21, died on September 24. The circumstances of his death are under review.

Springer was a member of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, stationed at Fort Drum, New York, Baldacci's office says.

"Pfc. Springer died while serving his country. His loss is a terrible tragedy," Baldacci says in a statement. "The military men and women serving in Afghanistan are called upon to complete dangerous missions far from home and family. Each and every one of them is a hero worthy of our respect and gratitude. Our hearts and prayers go out to Pfc. Springer's family and friends during this difficult time."

The governor says he'll order flags flown at half-staff on the day of Pfc. Springer's funeral.

Springer's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army said. He had completed the Combat Lifesavers Course this year prior to deployment

Soldier with Cape ties killed in Afghanistan

U.S. Army Spc. Clinton Springer was killed late last week, his tearful mother said this afternoon. There are no details yet of what happened to Springer, but an Army spokesman confirmed his death and said a press release will be going up on the U.S. Department of Defense website later today.

Clint Springer grew up in the Cataumet section of Bourne and attended Bourne High School, reports the Cape Cod Times. He finished high school in New Hampshire, but is still well known in town, his friend, Terean O’Reilly said: “People are just in shock,” she said.

In a brief telephone interview, Kathleen Lumsden of Mashpee said she is saddened by the loss of her son. “He was a fun-loving guy. He was full of life,” said Kathleen Lumsden of Mashpee

The Army said late this afternoon that he died in Kabul, Afghanistan, in a non-combat related incident. The cause of his death remains under investigation.

Springer grew up in the Cataumet section of Bourne and attended Bourne High School. He finished high school in New Hampshire, but is still well known in town, his friend, Terean O'Reilly said. “People are just in shock,” she said.

In a brief telephone interview, Kathleen Lumsden of Mashpee said she is saddened by the loss of her son. “He was a fun-loving guy. He was full of life,” she said.

Springer joined the Army in March 2009, the Army said. After completing training, he arrived at Fort Drum in July 2009.He served as an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 22 Infantry Regiment and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan with the 1st Brigade Combat Team in January 2010. It was his first deployment.

Family mourns soldier, 21, killed in Afghanistan

A soldier with Cape Cod ties who died in Afghanistan last week was remembered by heartbroken relatives yesterday as someone who always looked to help others.

“He did everything a boy is supposed to do when he turns into a man, and I’m tremendously proud of him,” said Clinton E. Springer, 47, of Sanford, Maine, about his son Army Pfc. Clinton E. Springer II.

Springer, 21, was born in Fall River and lived in Bourne for several years. He died in a non-combat-related incident in Kabul on Friday, the Army reported. The cause of death is under investigation. The elder Springer a retired Navy boiler technician, said he doesn’t know how his son died.

Springer joined the Army in March 2009 and served with the 10th Mountain Division’s 2/22nd Infantry, which deployed to Afghanistan in January.

Eric Springer of Mashpee, 19, described his older brother as “the type of person who would do anything for anybody.”

“He’s going to be missed like crazy,” Eric Springer said.

He said his son researched all of the branches of the military before settling on the Army. "He told me he didn't want to live on a ship," Springer said.

Springer said his son was a go-getter. "If there was an event, he didn't want to just go to it, he wanted to be part of it," he said.

His outgoing nature allowed him to forge many relationships. "He has a few hundred friends. I mean that," his father said.

The soldier told his father that, after finishing his deployment, he wanted to attend the University of North Carolina to pursue a degree in law enforcement.

Clinton E. Springer said he “completely” supported his son’s decision to enlist. “I don’t regret his decision, but it’s a horrible, horrible loss in my heart,” he said

"I'm very proud of him. I don't regret what he did (joining the Army). I just regret the outcome," said Springer, who had just returned home from Dover Air Force Base, Del., where his son's body was taken.

Once the soldier's body has been released to his family, his funeral will be scheduled.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said in a statement, "I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Private First Clinton Springer. We are proud of his selfless service to our nation, and my deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and loved ones."

Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, said, "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I convey my most profound condolences to the family and loved ones of Private Springer. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time."

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said, "I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Private First Class Springer. Hearing of the passing of another soldier with ties to Maine reminds us all of how close the current wars are to our local communities."

"My Dearest Clinton you are so loved by so many !!!!! You have made me so proud. You may be gone from us but no one can ever take away my memories of you. Rest in Peace my son my hero ♥" (Facebook - from his mother)

"RIP Clinton E Springer II...you will be missed and loved by all...you were a great son, brother, friend and soldier!" (FB)

Army Pfc. Clinton E. Springer II was killed in a non-combat related incident on 9/24/10.