Not much is known about
Stanley E. Stevens. He was born in 1921 and was
from Solana, California. Stanley worked as a
plumber when he enlisted into the army on 15
October 1942 in Sacramento, Ca.
Stanley volunteered for the
paratroopers and, after training, was attached
to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the
82nd Airborne Division.
He was a sergeant with G
Company when he jumped into Holland on 17
September 1944.
Not much is known about his
time in the army, but
Stanley was killed on 20 September 1944. He was
awared the Distinguished Service Cross for the
action in which he died. His citation reads:
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G
Company
508th
Parachute Infantry Regiment
82nd
Airborne Division |
The President of the United
States takes pride in presenting the
Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to
Stanley E. Stevens (39399951), Sergeant, U.S.
Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection
with military operations against an armed enemy
while serving with Company G, 3d Battalion,
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne
Division, in action against enemy forces on 18
September 1944, at Nijmegen, Holland. In an
attack by Company G into the city of Nijmegen,
to seize and hold the highway bridge within that
city, Staff Sergeant Stevens led the point of
his company advance with such courage and
aggressiveness that his company was able to
continue its attack without delay. Staff
Sergeant Stevens led his men in clearing snipers
from several houses. At one point he attacked a
building single-handed, and killed two Germans
manning a machine gun while another group
cleared a building across the street. After the
company had advanced farther into the city, at
least two German machine guns began firing into
the column, pinning down the entire company.
Staff Sergeant Stevens maneuvered his point from
the line of enemy fire. He established a base of
fire to cover the German positions and without
other assistance, assaulted one position with
sub-machine gun and grenades, destroying the
position. He succeeded in diverting the fire of
the enemy upon himself and permitted his company
to neutralize the position. During the action he
was mortally wounded. The exemplary conduct and
outstanding bravery of Staff Sergeant Stevens,
and his willingness to close with the enemy,
contributed in large measure to the success of
his company attack and rendered a distinguished
service in the accomplishment of his company and
battalion mission. His intrepid actions,
personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at
the cost of his life, exemplify the highest
traditions of the military forces of the United
States and reflect great credit upon himself,
the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States
Army.
Sgt Stanley Stevens was
first buried at Margraten Military Cemetery. In
the late 1940's he was reburied at
Modesto Citizens Cemetery in Modesto,
California, Plot: Pioneer Block 2 Lot 4 Grave 7.
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