Gustave Stearns was a graduate of Saint Olaf College, Northfield, and a graduate of Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, and was ordained as a Lutheran minister. During World War I he was given a leave of absence by his congregation and served as a U.S. Army chaplain. He was wounded at Badricourt, France, July 12, 1918, but was bandaged at the first-aid station and continued with his regiment at the front. He subsequently authored “From Army Camps and Battlefield,” containing 76 weekly letters written to his congregation, telling of his experiences as a war chaplain. After the war he returned to his pastorate in Milwaukee and in 1925 he was promoted to National Guard Chaplain with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1929, Luther Theological Seminary conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Theology “In recognition of the distinguished service he has rendered our church and country as pastor, army chaplain, and author.”