[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 58 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING SERGEANT STEPHEN M. STEWART

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2012

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Chowchilla Post 9896 Life Member Sergeant Stephen M. Stewart. 
Sergeant Stewart served the United States of America honorably with the 
U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division in Somalia.
  Sergeant Stewart was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on May 28, 
1954. He later relocated to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. 
Army. During his service, he served a 12-month tour in Korea and was 
part of the advance forces in Operation Desert Storm, which culminated 
in the repelling of the Iraqi forces and the liberation of Kuwait.
  In 1992, while serving with the 10th Mountain Division, the division 
was deployed to Somalia as part of Operation Restore Hope for the 
famished populace of Somalia. The division's mission was to secure 
major cities and roads in order to provide safe passage of relief 
supplies to Somali citizens suffering the effects of the Somali Civil 
War. When Task Force Ranger and the SAR team were pinned down during a 
raid in what would later become known as the Battle of Mogadishu, 
Sergeant Stewart and elements of the 10th Mountain Division provided 
infantry to the United Nations force sent to rescue them. The ensuing 
firefight was the longest sustained by the U.S. Army since the Vietnam 
War.
  In September 1994, Stephen and 8,600 troopers of the 10th Mountain 
Division formed the nucleus of the Multinational Force Haiti and Joint 
Task Force 190 in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy. The 
division's mission was to create a secure and stable environment in 
which the government could reestablish and hold democratic elections.
  During his service in the U.S. Army, Sergeant Stewart served in 
various roles. He was a troop leader in billets as a platoon sergeant, 
a drill sergeant, and held several administrative positions. He retired 
as a Sergeant First Class. For his service, Sergeant Stewart received 
the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces 
Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, 
Korean Defense Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, 
United Nations Medal for Somalia, and the Army Sharpshooter Badge for 
the M 16 Rifle.
  After his retirement from the U.S. Army, Sergeant Stewart earned a 
bachelor's degree and teaching credentials. He taught at Sierra Vista 
Elementary School and the former Mountain Vista Continuation School in 
Madera Unified School District. His hobbies included running and 
hiking, and he dreamt of someday climbing Pobeda Peak located near the 
border of China. He was an influential force in the Chowchilla area to 
honor WWII veterans through the ``Honor Flight'' program. He was also 
commemorated for his service to the California Troops to Teachers 
program.
  Sergeant Stewart passed away in 2012. He is survived by his wife, Dr. 
Gwendolyn Stewart, daughters Stephanie Stewart, M.D., Sharon Stewart, 
and grandson Ernest ``Jewell'' Hall. Sergeant Stewart is a Life Member 
of Chowchilla VFW Post 9896, American Legion Post 148, Association of 
the U.S. Army, Young Men's Institute, and St. Columbia Catholic Church 
of Chowchilla.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Sergeant Stephen M. Stewart 
for his honorable service to our great country.

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