Carmello LaSpada enlisted in the Marine Corps as a private after passing up offers for staff sergeant in the Army and Petty Officer First Class in the Navy, a decision which was due to the influence of his music teacher who was a drill sergeant and spoke of travel and adventure. Upon completion of boot camp, LaSpada reported to Cherry Point’s Mess Hall No. 1, later renamed the Food Services Office, for his first duty station. Thirty years later, LaSpada retired from Cherry Point, a fitting conclusion to where he began his Marine Corps career in earnest.

LaSpada saw combat for the first time in the Orient. From 1942 - 1946, LaSpada spent 19 months in combat from Guadulcanal, Bougainville, Philippine Islands, Okinawa, and China. These names are familiar to all as the places where the hardest fighting took place during World War II. The next war brought LaSpada to Korea from 1955 - 1956 for the Korean War. LaSpada was called twice to his third war, the Vietnam War where he served in South Vietnam from 1965 - 1966 and again from 1968 - 1969.

Other duty stations include such places as Paris Island, Cherry Point, El Toro, Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejuene, and Kaneowa, Hawaii. LaSpada also served four years as a recruiter. LaSpada’s medals and citations include the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal w/9 stars, America Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/1 star, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal.

After his active duty service, Carmelo attended college for 6 years and instructed at Carteret Community College for 3 ½ years. He lends a helping hand at the Morehead City Senior Center. Carmelo and Valerie, his wife of 54 years, reside in Morehead City. They have two children who are now grown and married, and are pursuing careers in nursing and in our local school system.

Master Gunnery Sergeant LaSpada, a three war veteran, has just passed his 27th year of retirement from the United States Marine Corps after a successful 30 year, 9 month career.