SANFORD — Clinton E. Springer II was a remarkable solider, his commanding officer told Springer’s father.
The elder Springer, who shares the same name as his son, said the officer told him, “When he joined the Army he was a boy and he became a man.”
Springer, 21, died Friday in Kabul, Afghanistan. His remains were returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Sunday.
With his death, two communities are mourning: Here in Sanford, where his father lives and where Springer spent time, and on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, where his mother lives and where the younger Springer was raised until his mid-teens. Springer graduated from Contoocook Valley High School in Peterborough, N.H. in 2007.
The cause of his death is under investigation. According to information released by the Department of Defense, Springer died in a non-combat related incident.”‘
Springer joined the Army in March 2009. After training, he arrived at Fort Drum, N.Y. in July that year. Springer was an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 22 Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st Brigade Combat Team in January. It was his first deployment.
“We talked just a couple of days ago,” said his father, Monday. “He’d been there for almost a year and was due to come home just before Christmas.”
The elder Springer met the plane that carried his son’s remains to Dover, Del. on Sunday.
“His commanding officer said he was friendly with everyone in his battalion, that he’d do anything to help you,” said Springer.
Springer and his father were close and the elder Springer said he, Clinton and brother Eric, 19, restored an antique truck together, went snorkeling, hiking and to car shows. His home is filled with photographs of the three together, he said.
“He was a great kid. He came up like every parent wishes their kid would do,” said Springer, who spent 20 years on active duty with the U.S. Navy.
He was outgoing and gregarious, and if there was an event or a party going on, Clinton wanted to be part of it, his father said.
Springer said serving his country was what his son wanted to do.
A photograph released by Fort Drum shows a smiling young man in camouflage, sporting a mop of curly hair.
“Pfc. Springer died while serving his country. His loss is a terrible tragedy,” Gov. John Baldacci said in a prepared statement. “Our hearts and prayers go out to Pfc. Springer’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
The governor will 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.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I convey my most profound condolences to the family and loved ones of Pfc. Springer. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time,” said U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, in a statement. “Indeed, there are no words to express our boundless gratitude for his bravery and our immense sorrow at his loss. Pfc. Springer’s memory will surely live on ”“ a memory we must not, and never will, forget.”
A Facebook page dedicated to his memory is filled with messages by those who knew Springer and some who didn’t, but wanted to express their condolences to his family.
Besides his father of Sanford, he is survived by his mother, Kathleen Lumsden of Mashpee, Mass. and a brother, Eric.
The elder Springer said he was camping in Connecticut on Friday when he was notified of his son’s death.
“First the state troopers came, then the Army,” he sad. Springer made his way to Delaware, to meet the aircraft. He arrived home in Sanford Monday.
“I believe in and support the military,” he said, adding that an American flag has always hung in his window. “All I can think of are the 4,000 families who have gone through this.”
“Today when I came home, all I could think of was looking at the coffins coming off the plane,” he said. “There were three of them: My son, who was 21, another man, who was 20, and another ”“ she was 19.
“I’m proud of him,” said Springer. “I have two sons. I still have two sons, but one I won’t see anymore. Now, there’s a gold star in the window. I loved my son and I’m proud of him.”
— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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