Self-Sacrifice and Gallantry Wins
Honor for Lieut. John M. Stebbins
Utica Saturday Globe, July 1919
John M. Stebbins
1894 - 1975
Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]: First Lieut. John M. Stebbins, discharged some time ago from service with the Three Hundred and Ninth Infantry, A.E.F. has been cited for gallantry while in command of 32 men composing the machine gun detachment of his regiment.
Lieut. Stebbins was wounded September 17, 1918. While operating the machine gun a German shell burst within a few feet of his command, killing several of his comrades instantly. Lieut. Stebbins was thrice wounded in his left leg and fragments of the shell lodged in his shoulder, neck and arms, while his eardrums were burst by the concussion.
Despite his wounds he showed the highest heroism, forgetting his own injuries in his efforts to relieve his wounded companions. He then gathered up his maps, orders and other papers and turned them over to an uninjured officer before submitting to first aid treatment for himself.
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Silver Star Citation
Awarded for actions during World War I
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) John Stebbins, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Stebbins distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 309th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the St. Mihiel Offensive, France, 17 September 1918, in refusing to be treated until the other wounded had been taken care of.
General Orders: GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 4 (June 3, 1919)
Action Date: 17-Sep-18
Service: Army
Rank: First Lieutenant
Regiment: 309th Infantry
Division: American Expeditionary Forces
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John Stebbins was born 7 September 1894 in Norwich, Chenango Co., NY the son of Henry and May Delia (Martin) Stebbins. At the time of his enlistment in the military service he resided at 275 North Broad Street in Norwich. He enlisted as a 2nd Lt. on August 15, 1917 in the 309th Infantry, 78th Division. On January 31, 1918 he was promoted to 1st Lt. His principle stations were Camp Dix, NJ, Fort Sill, OK, and Camp Upton, NY. He served overseas during World War I from May 20, 1918 to December 24, 1918. He was severely wounded at Jualny, France September 17, 1918. He was honorably discharged March 26, 1919. He received a citation for valor from General Pershing. His wife was Sarah Tate. By 1935 they were living in New Jersey. At the time of World War II, they were living in Leonia, NJ, and he was working in New York City with the Alcohol Tax Unit of the US Bureau of Internal Revenue. John M. Stebbins died 2 November 1975. As per the Social Security death index, his last known residence was Virginia.
Sources: Following Ancestry.com databases:
World War I Draft Registration Cards
New York, Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917 - 1919
New York, World War I Veterans' Service Data, 1913 - 1919
U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards (men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897.
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