Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

Company G, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation:
Staff Sergeant Stanley E. Stevens, 39399951, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy at Nijmegen, Holland, on 21 [should be 18] September 1944. 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. Entered military service from California.