Clay Awards Nation's Third Highest Military Honor to WWII Hero, Lt. Edward Stevens
Congressional Desk
May 30, 2010
B-17 Pilot Who Saved Crew Receives Silver Star for Gallantry Sixty-Six Years Later
ST. LOUIS- Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri presented our nation's third highest military honor, the Silver Star for Gallantry, to Lt. Edward Stevens, a 93-year old World War II hero who waited 66 years to receive the medal he earned in combat as a B-17 pilot.
Congressman Clay´s office worked for over three years to ensure that Lt. Stevens would receive the high honor he earned in support of the D-Day invasion.
In addition to the medal ceremony, Congressman Clay recognized thirteen outstanding students whom he nominated to attend the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy.
The following brief excerpt is taken from Congressman Clay´s comments at the medal award ceremony:
"My staff is always pleased to help veterans with issues like health care, pensions and disability claims. And once in a while, we have a chance to help correct an error that happened a long time ago.
It is my privilege to acknowledge a hero who has waited far too long to be properly recognized for his courage: Lieutenant Edward Stevens.
Before I present you with our nation´s third highest military honor, the Silver Star, I am going to quote from the actual combat citation.
The citation reads:
From June 24 to June 26, 1944, while serving as a B-17 bomber pilot, 8th Air Force, 94th wing, 457th bombardment group,
In support of combat operations in the European Theater, after taking heavy anti-aircraft fire over France, First Lt. Stevens was forced to abort his mission 100 miles inland.
Instead of bailing out over enemy territory, First Lt. Stevens crossed the English Channel at very low altitudes with just one of four engines still functioning and with extensive damage to the plane´s wings and fuselage.
Despite the severity of damage to his aircraft, he was able to execute an emergency landing in England, saving the lives of his crew of ten men.
Lt. Stevens, by order of the President of the United States, and by the authorization conveyed to me by an Act of Congress,
On behalf of a grateful nation, it is my honor to award you the Silver Star for Gallantry."
ST. LOUIS- Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri presented our nation's third highest military honor, the Silver Star for Gallantry, to Lt. Edward Stevens, a 93-year old World War II hero who waited 66 years to receive the medal he earned in combat as a B-17 pilot.
Congressman Clay´s office worked for over three years to ensure that Lt. Stevens would receive the high honor he earned in support of the D-Day invasion.
In addition to the medal ceremony, Congressman Clay recognized thirteen outstanding students whom he nominated to attend the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy.
The following brief excerpt is taken from Congressman Clay´s comments at the medal award ceremony:
"My staff is always pleased to help veterans with issues like health care, pensions and disability claims. And once in a while, we have a chance to help correct an error that happened a long time ago.
It is my privilege to acknowledge a hero who has waited far too long to be properly recognized for his courage: Lieutenant Edward Stevens.
Before I present you with our nation´s third highest military honor, the Silver Star, I am going to quote from the actual combat citation.
The citation reads:
From June 24 to June 26, 1944, while serving as a B-17 bomber pilot, 8th Air Force, 94th wing, 457th bombardment group,
In support of combat operations in the European Theater, after taking heavy anti-aircraft fire over France, First Lt. Stevens was forced to abort his mission 100 miles inland.
Instead of bailing out over enemy territory, First Lt. Stevens crossed the English Channel at very low altitudes with just one of four engines still functioning and with extensive damage to the plane´s wings and fuselage.
Despite the severity of damage to his aircraft, he was able to execute an emergency landing in England, saving the lives of his crew of ten men.
Lt. Stevens, by order of the President of the United States, and by the authorization conveyed to me by an Act of Congress,
On behalf of a grateful nation, it is my honor to award you the Silver Star for Gallantry."
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