Leonard Stegman grew up in Offerle, Kansas, in a large family where he was one of 18 children. He attended high school for two years at Plain, Kansas, and then spent three years at Saint Lawrence Seminary at Mount Calvary, Wisconsin. He had further studies at Mary Immaculate Seminary, Garrison, New York; Saint Anthony Seminary, Marathon, Wisconsin; George Washington University, and the Preacher’s Institute of Catholic University, Washington, D.C. He achieved two MasterÕs degrees (International Studies and Education) from George Washington University. He was ordained a Capuchin-Franciscan Priest on June 23, 1943, at Saint Mary’s Church in Marathon, Wisconsin. After ordination, Father Stegman was assigned to parish and youth work in Michigan and Wisconsin. He gave retreats to the laity at Monte Alverno Retreat House in Appleton, Wisconsin and was a home missionary for almost three years. He entered the Army Reserve in 1948, and later served as Chaplain of the Wisconsin Army National Guard. In April 1950, he was activated as a Catholic Chaplain in the U.S. Army, serving with the 3d Infantry Division in the Korean War. During his career he served at every echelon of the Army including assignments to the U.S. Army Air Defense Command; U.S. Army Vietnam; THIRD Army; Headquarters, Forces Command; and U.S. Army Materiel Command. In addition to CONUS assignments, he served in Japan, Korea, and Europe. He was a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, and the Army War College. He retired in 1977 as a U.S. Army Colonel.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
15th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 20, 1951
Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 320 (July 27, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Leonard F. Stegman (ASN: 0-955449), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 20 May 1951, near Pungam-ni, Korea, during an attack on Hill 429, heavy casualties were inflicted on the lead elements of the 3d Battalion by withering fire from a well-entrenched hostile force. Learning that additional personnel were needed to assist in evacuating the wounded, Chaplain Stegman voluntarily left the comparative safety of the battalion aid station to assist in the evacuation. Fearlessly moving forward, he noticed a wounded soldier lying in an exposed position. Dashing across the open terrain, he picked up the wounded soldier and carried him to a covered position. On his return, he utilized the protective covering afforded by a friendly tank and rescued several other stricken infantrymen. Chaplain Stegman’s selfless gallantry earned the undying respect of his fellow soldiers and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps), [then First Lieutenant]Regiment:
15th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
November 28, 1950
Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 17 (January 24, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps), [then First Lieutenant] Leonard Fernando Stegman (ASN: 0-955449), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 28 November 1950, Chaplain Stegman voluntarily accompanied a battalion which had the mission of clearing out an enemy assembly area near Majon-ni, Korea, when elements of the battalion engaged a numerically superior enemy in a fire fight, and a company commander radioed for a litter jeep to evacuate his wounded. Chaplain Stegman unhesitatingly volunteered to accompany the jeep to give aid and comfort to the wounded. Proceeding under intense enemy fire, the occupants of the litter jeep rescued one wounded man and learned of two more. Without thought for his own safety, Chaplain Stegman proceeded with the jeep several hundred yards farther and successfully evacuated all three wounded men through the same avenue of fire. Chaplain Stegman’s heroic efforts to aid and comfort wounded compatriots, accomplished with utter disregard for his own personal safety, reflect great credit upon himself, the Corps of Chaplains, and the military service.