8Mar1922 – 6Jul1944
Edison Days
Steve graduated with the Class of June 1941. He was a member of the Ushers Club.
Military Service
Rank: Private
Branch: United States Army
Unit: Company G – 2nd Battalion – 313th Infantry Regiment – 79th Infantry Division
Steve was drafted into the service on his 21st birthday in March 1943. He attended basic training at Camp Joseph Robinson near Little Rock, Arkansas.
After basic training he joined the 313th Infantry Regiment and spent time training at Camp Laguna, Arizona and Camp Phillips, Kansas.
In April 1944 the company sailed from Boston, Massachusetts. After a 12-day voyage, Steve and the 313th disembarked from the ship in Glasgow, Scotland. The next 6 weeks were spent training in England.
The 313th Infantry Division did not participate in the D-Day landings on 6Jun1944. They would not be on the sidelines for long. On June 14 the 313th Infantry Regiment landed on Utah Beach. The regiment marched inland about 15 miles to an assembly area near Sébeville, France and remained there briefly for several days. On June 18, they moved into position to relieve elements of the 90th Infantry Division near the Sainte-Colombe/Colleville area.
On June 19, Steve would see his first combat when Company G participated in the action to help seize Hill 79 near La Brique/Bois de la Brique. By the end of the day, the regiment had secured parts of the high ground. The regiment next participated in the attack on Cherbourg. On June 26 the 313th was one of the first Allied units to enter the city.
On July 6 Steve’s company and the 79th Infantry Division were pushing South towards Montgardon (Hill 84 area) south of La Haye-du-Puits, Normandy. The ridge at Montgardon was a key objective, defended by elements of the German 353rd Infantry Division. The terrain featured dense hedgerows, open fields, barbed wire, mines, and excellent German observation for artillery and mortars.
Steve and the 2nd Battalion attacked in the afternoon advancing across open fields and hedgerows toward the ridge. Company G faced intense small-arms, machine-gun, mortar, and artillery fire almost immediately. The company suffered devastating casualties in a short time. The effective strength dropped so severely that they were forced to withdrawal under covering fire after the attack stalled.
It was during this attack that Steve was wounded by German artillery fire. He would die of his wounds the same day.
Steve was originally buried in a temporary cemetery in Normandy, France. In late March 1949 his remains were returned to Minnesota for reburial.
A funeral service for Stephen was held on 10May1949.
Steve is buried at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cemetery in St. Anthony, MN.
Steve’s name is also engraved on a memorial marker at the Cemetery. His is 1 of 6 names of Edison Heroes that attended St. Mary’s Orthodox Church.
Edison Heroes 