July 23, 1925 (Pemberwich, NY) – July 2, 2004 (Norwalk, CT); 78 years old
Married in 1950 to Mabel Travis (1930-2002) of Port Chester, New York.
Two children, Richard and Jane Stempien.
Local address: High View Road, Glenville, CT
Inducted on October 4, 1943 and entered active duty October 25, 1943
Separated January 18, 1946 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts
Serial number 31406721
Unit: 101st Airborne Division, 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion, Headquarters Battery
The shield is scarlet for Artillery. The lion’s paws are significant of the Field Artillery, which may be likened to a mountain lion whose paws have great strength and power in felling and crushing a victim. Enscrolled beneath the shield is the motto “Noli Me Tangere” which translates to “Touch Me Not”.
Son of Max (1878-1952) and Mary Konieczna Stempien (1892-1961). Sixth born of ten children. Siblings are Josephine, 10 years older, Stella, 8 years older, Edward, 7 years older, John 5 years older, Leonard, 3 years older, Frances 2 years younger, Bruno, 4 years younger, Helen, 8 years younger, and Genevieve, 9 years younger.
Prior to the service, he worked as a shipping clerk for Alfred D. McKelvy Company in Greenwich for 1 year. He filled orders from stock bins and shelves. Worked as a dairy man at Dellwood Dairy after the war. He retired in 1990 after 35 years with them.
Served as a switchboard operator for an airfield. Connected phones in the field with other parts of the division. Used standard switchboard technique using small field switchboards. Also worked as a lineman on telephone lines. Repaired and set up wires in combat and base camp for inter battalion communications.
From “Screaming Eagle Gliders –
The 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division in WWII”
Author: G.J. Dettore
Citation: Dettore, G. J. (2016). Screaming Eagle Gliders: The 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II. United States: Stackpole Books.
ISBN: 9780811764872, 0811764877
Recipient of the Belgian Fourragere
(pronounced fur-‘zher)
The Belgian fourragére may be awarded by the Belgian Government if a unit was cited twice in the order of the day. Award of the fourragére is not automatic and requires a specific decree of the Belgian Government. The fourragére is the same colors as the ribbon for the Croix de Guerre. A streamer is displayed on the organizational flag/guidon to indicate award of the Croix de Guerre. The streamer is the same color and pattern as the ribbon for the medal. Army units may display the Croix de Guerre on ceremonial occasions by pinning it on the streamer. In addition, the fourragére may be displayed on the guidon for ceremonial occasions as shown in Chapter 9, Army Regulation (AR) 840-10. The Belgian Fourragére is authorized for permanent wear only. Personnel temporarily assigned to a unit which was awarded the fourragére may not wear the fourragére.
NOTE: Tec 5 Stempien also received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon and the World War II victory medal.
Buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, 35 Parsonage Road, Greenwich CT; plot number unknown. Photo from findagrave.com.
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 
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