Ronald Speirs

Ronald Speirs
Speirs in Austria, 1945
Nickname(s)"Sparky", "Killer", "Bloody", "The Dog"
Born(1920-04-20)April 20, 1920
Edinburgh, Scotland
DiedApril 11, 2007(2007-04-11) (aged 86)
St. Marie, Montana, United States
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1942–1964
RankLieutenant Colonel
Service number0-439465
UnitDog Company/Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Battles/warsWorld War II

Korean War

Laotian Civil War

AwardsSilver Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (3)
Purple Heart (1)
Army Commendation Medal
RelationsElsie (2nd wife)
Robert (son)
Other workGovernor of Spandau Prison, Red Army Liaison Officer

Ronald Charles Speirs (20 April 1920 – 11 April 2007) was a United States Army officer who served in the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. He was initially assigned as a platoon leader in B Company of the 1st Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Speirs was reassigned to D Company of the 2nd Battalion before the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and later assigned as commander of E Company during an assault on Foy, Belgium, after the siege of Bastogne was broken during the Battle of the Bulge. He finished the war in the European Theater as a captain. Speirs served in the Korean War, as a major commanding a rifle company and as a staff officer. He later became the American governor for Spandau Prison in Berlin. He retired as a lieutenant colonel.