News Summary
Kathleen Young and Hal Spicer were recognized by American Legion Beaufort Post 207 as part of the Veteran of the Week program. Both veterans have dedicated years of service in the U.S. military, demonstrating outstanding commitment and leadership. Young served in the Navy and Spicer in the Marine Corps, both contributing significantly to their communities after retirement.
Beaufort, South Carolina – Kathleen Young and Hal Spicer, two distinguished veterans, were honored by the American Legion Beaufort Post 207 this week as part of their Veteran of the Week program. Both have dedicated years of service in the U.S. military, contributing significantly to their respective branches and demonstrating exemplary commitment and leadership.
Kathleen Young, who is 77 years old, joined the U.S. Navy in 1966, hailing from Narrowsburg, New York. She completed her Boot Camp and Hospital Corpsman School at Great Lakes, Illinois, before being assigned to the Naval Hospital St. Albans in Queens, New York. During her tenure there, she provided medical care for wounded soldiers returning from the Vietnam War.
After her initial enlistment, Young transitioned to a multi-year period as a Sister of the Order of Saint Francis. She later obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and dedicated her skills to Catholic hospitals in Florida. In 1980, she rejoined the Navy as a commissioned nurse, returning to Bethesda to work in neurosurgery and the intensive care unit.
Young’s extensive military career included assignments at Charleston Naval Hospital, where she served as a coronary critical care nurse, and later, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration. Her career took her to the Naval Hospital in the Philippines, where she worked in various departments, including labor and delivery, nursery, OB-GYN, and pediatrics.
Further assignments included serving at Naval Air Station Alameda in California as a senior nurse and earning another Master’s Degree in Community Health Nursing. Young then moved to Oakland Naval Hospital before transferring to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, followed by a role as Director of Operational Medicine at Parris Island. She concluded her service at the Charleston Naval Hospital, retiring in 2003 with the rank of Commander in the Nurse Corps after an impactful 28 years of service.
Hal Spicer, 73 years old, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970 in Jacksonville, Florida. Completing Boot Camp at Parris Island and Advanced Infantry Training at Camp Lejeune, Spicer trained to serve as a Communications Wireman at Camp Pendleton. His early assignments included Okinawa and MCAS Beaufort, where he provided critical communications support for the Marine Air Group and participated in several deployments to locations such as Puerto Rico and Camp Lejeune.
Following the end of the Vietnam War drawdown, Spicer separated from active duty in 1975. In 1977, he continued his military service by joining the South Carolina Army National Guard as a Cavalry Scout, during which he was mobilized for Hurricane Hugo and prepared for upcoming deployments, including Desert Shield and Afghanistan. He eventually retired in 2000, finishing his service with the rank of Sergeant First Class.
In addition to his military career, Spicer contributed to his community through his role in facilities maintenance for Beaufort County from 1984 to 2013. His commitment to service, both in the military and in civilian life, reflects his dedication to the values he upheld during his years of duty.
The American Legion Beaufort Post 207 continues to recognize and honor veterans for their sacrifices and contributions. Young and Spicer’s stories serve as a reminder of the dedication and resilience exhibited by veterans across the nation. For those who wish to nominate a veteran for the Veteran of the Week program, contact can be made via email to John Chubb at jechubb1@gmail.com.
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Additional Resources
- Veteran of the Week: Hal Spicer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Veterans Affairs
- Veteran of the Week: Kevin Egan
- Google Search: Veteran Support Programs
- Junior Legion Team Off to Good Start
- Wikipedia: United States Military
- Veteran of the Week: Betty Hamilton
- Google News: Memorial Day Ceremonies
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
