While stationed at Ft. Richardson Army Base in Anchorage, Alaska, several intense situations occurred. With Russia only being 55 miles away at its narrowest point, they intimidated the US by continually flying into US air space. In 1952, there was a well-known exercise, “WAR WIND” at Big Delta. Bud’s duties included transporting supplies and troops who had come up from the states. In 1953, the Soviet MIG fighters fired on a US weather plane near the Kamcharka Peninsula. The same year, the Soviet Union exploded a hydrogen bomb. This happened during the Korean War. In July of 1953, the Armistice was signed ending the conflict.
According to the USARAK history (US Army Alaska); their missions included: ground to air defense of Alaska, the development of cold-weather /mountain-warfare schooling, providing logistical support to Air Force and Navy, conducting National Guard and US Army Reserve training, the supervision of Reserve Officer Training Corps, and providing for internal security which included plans for recovery from a nuclear attack.
Sponaugle spent two winters there. Due to the Cold War with Russia, they were continually on alert. The inclement weather played a huge factor in their daily routine. While on maneuvers, temperatures dropped as low as fifty below zero. Living in tents, their boots froze to the ground. They awoke to see their body prints in the snow where they had slept.
Born in Hendricks, son of the late Alvin and Dessie Hedrick Sponaugle, Sponaugle entered the army in May 1952. He served two years active duty and six years in the ready reserves. He was honorably discharged in May 1960. He treasured his uniforms and kept them in immaculate condition for the past sixty plus years. Sponaugle and his wife, Louetta, decided to donate them for display with the Historical Society.