MADISON – Jimmy Spruill entered the U.S. Army in August 1964. When he left active duty in September 1969, he had reached the rank of Captain.

He completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He learned about Interceptor Equipment Repair during Advanced Training at Fort Devens, Mass. He later served in an intelligence unit that completed missions in Thailand.

In 1966, Spruill was assigned to U.S. Artillery Officer Candidate School or OCS at Fort Sill, Ark. He then served as a Training Officer at Fort McClellan.

In 1968, Spruill was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Pacific or USARPAC, the army component unit of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. He served in the field during the Vietnam War.

In his commendations, Spruill received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Spruill earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of South Alabama. Currently, Spruill has retired from a career in engineering. His hometown is Rolling Fork, Miss.

“We moved to the Madison area in 1986 for me to accept a job with ‘Star Wars,'” Spruill said. He and wife Cynthia are parents of Jimmy Doug Spruill Jr. of Madison; Ginger Chaffin of Anniston; and Kimberly Lamb of Madison.

Jimmy Spruill Sr. performs with Madison Community Band. He is a member of Forever Young Senior Veterans of Alabama and Vietnam Veterans of America.

Spruill’s hobbies are enjoying music and working with electronics.