VA #Veteranoftheday – Spencer Polinger

Each day, the VA honors a special military veteran for their dedicated service on their blog, VAntage Point. Today’s veteran is Army Veteran Spencer Polinger, who served as a combat medic and earned a Bronze Star Medal during the Vietnam War.

Spencer Polinger was born in 1945 in the Bronx, New York City. He went on to serve as a combat medic in the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1970 with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

Polinger was discharged in 1970 and used his GI Bill to earn a license as a registered nurse, earning his  master’s in nursing administration and education. He worked as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in New York and a clinical director of a home care company, as well as President of the 32nd Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, Commander of Jewish War Veterans of the USA post 250, and as a member of a Congressional Admissions Committee for West Point before eventually retiring. 

For his service, Polinger earned  Bronze Star Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Expeditionary Forces Medal, National Defense Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Vietnam Technical Service Medal.

He now lives in Bayside, New York with his wife Judith Polinger. They have two children and nine grandchildren.

Thank you for your service!