Albert Steffens graduated from Saint Joseph’s Seminary at Dunwiddie, New York, and the Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and was ordained a Catholic priest on December 20, 1930. He served as an assistant to Archbishop Francis Spellman of the New York Diocese. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1936. He went overseas as a U.S. Army chaplain with the troops during the invasion of North Africa, and records indicate he dug the first grave and buried the first soldier killed in Operation TORCH. As a chaplain with the FIFTH Army, he served with both the 1st Infantry and 10th Armored Divisions. He served for 20 years as a military chaplain, including service in Korea during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge he served many assignments at churches in the New York City area, and was installed at Saint Aloysius in 1966. He died in 1984 while living at Saint Aloysius’ Livingston Manor.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Soldier’s Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
26th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
January 26 – 28, 1943
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Albert C. M. Steffens, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with the 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action from 26 to 28 January 1943, near Cusseltia during the Tunisian Campaign in North Africa. Chaplain Steffens entered between the opposing lines, amidst heavy fire, and assisted in evacuating the wounded, administering the Last Rites, both to the enemy and to our own troops who were lying mortally wounded on the field of battle, and thereby appearing in advance of the line held by the most forward elements. By this devotion to duty, Chaplain Steffens has gained the respect and admiration of the wounded, friend and foe, and the highest moral inspiration. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Steffens, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Soldier’s Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain)Division:
1st Infantry Division
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to First Lieutenant (Chaplain) Albert C. M. Steffens, United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with the 1st Infantry Divison, in action near the Algerian Coast in 1943. Without thought of danger to his own life, Chaplain Steffens swam through heavy surf and a strong undertow to pull two men to the safety of an air mattress. All three men then clung to the raft until a group of officers formed a human chain and pulled them ashore. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Chaplain Steffens reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.