John Spence

John Spence may refer to:

See also

John Spence (frogman)

John Pitts Spence (June 14, 1918 – October 29, 2013) was an American diver for the United States Navy and World War II veteran who is widely credited as the country's first combat frogman. Spence was the first enlisted man to be recruited into a clandestine group, operated by General William "Wild Bill" Donovan of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which would become known as the frogmen. The group was a predecessor of the present-day United States Navy SEALs.

The origin of the term "frogman" can be traced directly to John Spence. In an interview with maritime historian Erick Simmel, Spence explained that frogman first came into use while he was training in a green, waterproof suit. Spence recalled, "Someone saw me surfacing one day and yelled out, 'Hey, frogman!' The name stuck for all of us." Spence and the other men trained in underwater close combat techniques, demolition and stealth in order to destroy underwater emplacements and enemy ships during World War II. Spence trained under a medical student, Dr. Christian Lambertsen, who developed the United States Navy frogmen's rebreathers for underwater warfare.

John Spence (politician)

John Deane Spence (7 December 1920 – 4 March 1986) was a British Conservative Party politician.

Spence was educated at Queen's University, Belfast and worked as a building and civil engineering contractor, merchant banker and farmer.

Spence contested Wakefield in 1964, and Sheffield Heeley in 1966. He was Member of Parliament for Sheffield Heeley from 1970 to 1974, Thirsk and Malton from 1974 to 1983, and Ryedale from 1983 until he died in office in 1986. He was a member of the Speaker's panel of chairmen.

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