LCpl William John ‘Billy’ Stelpflug MCL, Detachment #1064
Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 1347, Auburn, AL 36831-1347
Meeting Address: 41 Lee Rd, Clubhouse at Auburn Legends, Auburn, AL 36832 – Maps & Directions
Phone: (334) 703-0047
Email: [email protected]
2023 Officers
- Gene Stanaland, Commandant
- Matt Wilson, Sr. Vice Commandant
- Michael Carreca, Jr. Vice Commandant
- Robert Jonson, Judge Advocate
- Rudy Vuchinich, Paymaster
- Rudy Vuchinich, Adjutant
- Ron Russell, Chaplain
- John Reichman, Sgt. at Arms
- John Alums, Jr. Past Commandant
- None, Marine4Life Liaison
- Jim Doyle, Web Sgt
- None, Newsletter Editor
- , Americanism/Historian
- , Eagle Scout Coord.
- , VAVS Contact
- John Alums, Toys 4 Tots Coord.
- Ricardo Garcia, Toys 4 Tots Coord.
LCpl William John ‘Billy’ Stelpflug
LCpl William John ‘Billy’ Stelpflug served in the United States Marine Corps reaching the meritorious rank of Lance Corporal. Billy was born at the U.S. Air Force Academy on March 13, 1964 to Peggy Blank Stelpflug and William Joseph Stelpflug. Upon graduating from high school, Billy enlisted in the Marine Corps and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Infantry Regiment, specializing in the use of an anti-tank weapon known as the “Dragon.” Almost immediately upon his assignment to the 1/8, he was deployed to Beirut, Lebanon as a part of a Multi-National Peacekeeping Force where he excelled in his duties. While deployed, he received a meritorious promotion on recommendation from his squad leader and gained favor with his fellow servicemen.
On October 23, 1983, Billy, along with 241 other Marines and servicemen, lost his life when a terrorist drove a truck loaded down with 12,000 pounds of explosives into the headquarters of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment attached to the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, collapsing the roof and leveling the building. Found in the rubble days later was a poem entitled “The War King Calls.” The poem, written by Stelpflug, characterized the struggle and intensity of the war.