Van Steenbergen Is Given Bronze Star For Heroic Action
With the Fifth Army, Italy—First Sgt. Adrian M. Van Steenbergen, of Sheldon, has been awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action while serving with the 34th “Red Bull” Division during the Tunisian campaign.
He is a nephew of Joe Overman of LeMars.
During an attack on a strongly held enemy position, Van Steenbergen’s company was pinned to the ground by heavy machine-gun and mortar fire, which resulted in several of his men being wounded.
Van Steenbergen went out into the open terrain under enemy observation and heavy fire and administered first aid to the wounded men.
“Sgt. Van Steenbergen’s courageous and timely actions undoubtedly saved the lives of several of his comrades,” the citation with the award said.
Van Steenbergen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McAlpine, is now stationed at Stormville, N.Y., as first sergeant of the guard at the federal penitentiary. His home is at Sheldon.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, September 25, 1944
6 IN SERVICE
FROM ONE FAMILY
Sheldon, Ia. -- Mr. and Mrs. William McAlpine displays in the front window of their home here a service flag on which are six stars for their five sons and one daughter in the service.
Besides the six, they have one son who was given a medical discharge and another who expects to go into the navy soon.
Alvin Van Steenbergen, senior chief radioman, is in the navy at Pensacola, Fla. Sergeant Adrian Van Steenbergen was with the first troops that went overseas in the fall of 1941. He now is stationed at Stormville, N.Y.
Pvt (f.c.) William McAlpine is with the field artillery serving overseas. Midshipman Michael McAlpine is being trained at Columbia university, New York, N.Y., and will be graduated from there Oct. 28 as an ensign. Yeoman Harold McAlpine is in Pearl Harbor working in the navy personnel office.
Katherine McAlpine, seaman, second class, in the WAVES, is doing clerical work in Washington, D.C. Walter Van Steenbergen, in the service nine months, received a medical discharge.
The last of the McAlpines, Eugene (Porky) recently was graduated from high school. He will enter the Navy soon. The McAlpines have four other children, all in school.
Source: The DesMoines Tribune, October 14, 1944 (individual photos included)
Five more members of Co. I., Sheldon National Guard unit, have been discharged from the Army under the point system. They include Sgt. Adrian Van Steenbergen, who has returned from Italy.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, July 24, 1945
Adrian Milton VanSteenbergen was born Dec. 19, 1919 to Adrian M. and Henrietta Overman VanSteenbergen. He died Dec. 26, 1977 and is buried in Saint Patricks Cemetery, Sheldon, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
