The R. R. (Bob) Steven family, 422 West State street, Algona, presents a fine record toward members of the family in the service of Uncle Sam. Five sons are wearing U. S. uniforms and one daughter is married to a husband also a part of our fighting forces. There are 12 children in the Steven family and those at home are not of age to serve their country as yet. Those at home are Gaitha, Ivaloe, Dean, Darrell, Orella and Wendell. The daughter married is Emily (Mrs. Virgil Shackleford.) Her husband has been in the Navy since July a year ago and at this time is with the fleet in the South Pacific area. They have three children. Mrs. Shackleford is living in Algona
FIVE IN SERVICE
The five sons who are now a part of the armed forces are:
ROBERT STEVEN, JR.
(photo in the upper right hand)
It was on Armistice Day, 1943, that Robert, now 25, joined up with the Navy. He is now taking a course in radar work at a school in Boston, Mass. He is married to a Ringsted girl and the wife and young son live in Ringsted. Prior to his enlistment, he was employed in the Gamble store here.
2ND LT. RAYMOND E. STEVEN
(photo in the lower right hand)
On Jan. 15, 1942, Raymond E. Steven, now 24, joined the air corps. He received his pilot training at air camps in Texas. He was assigned to a field in Puerto Rico about a year, after which he came back to this country and was then sent to Italy where he is flying a bomber and has been active in the past six months. He was home on leave during Christmas, 1942. Prior to his entry into the navy air force, he was employed by Harry Bode.
The War Department notified Mr. and Mrs. Steven on Wednesday night of last week that their son, Raymond Steven, had been seriously wounded in action in the Rome, Italy, are on May 31st, and that he was being treated in a base hospital in southern Italy. A letter from Raymond written June 3, and received here Thursday informed his parents that his nose was broken and that he had received some bad shell bruises. He questioned whether he would be returned to his flight squadron following recovery.
S-SGT. WILBUR R. STEVEN
(photo in top center)
It was on Aug. 19, 1942, that Wilbur R. Steven, now 22, joined up with the signal corps of the Army. He received his training at Camp Crowder, Mo. In February of 1943, he married Miss Erlis Burgardt, ofr Britt, in Missouri, and the following April he was assigned to duty in New Guinea and has been there the past year. Prior to his entry into service, he was employed at Woodward’s. His wife lives here, conducting a beauty shop.
PVT. GEORGE T. STEVEN
(photo in upper left hand)
On March 1, 1943, George T. Steven, now 21, enlisted in a paratrooper detachment and he has been taking training the past year in several southern camps. He is at present stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. He was hone on furlough during Christmas of 1943, and is due for another leave within the next week or so. Prior to his entry into service he was employed at Swift’s. George arrived in Algona last Tuesday and spent until Thursday with his parents and friends, leaving for Texas to visit a few days with friends before returning to his Georgia camp.
PVT. LYLE M. STEVEN
(photo in lower left hand)
On Sept. 19, 1943, the young’s of the eligible Steven boys, Lyle M. Steven, now 19, entered an army air gunnery school and is taking a course in bomber gunnery. Since joining, he has been home on furlough, spending two weeks with his parents and friends here in May. His address is Pvt. Lyle M. Steven, Student Reception Pool, A. A. A. T., Harlingen, Texas.
Source: The Algona Upper Des Moines, June 20, 1944 (photos included)
Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Steven received word recently from their son, Pvt. George Steven, that he is now stationed in England. George is a paratrooper in the Army. The Stevens’ other son, Lt. Raymond Steven, is now in the hospital in Miami, Fla., for treatment of his ears after being overseas for some time.
Source: The Algona Upper Des Moines, September 26, 1944
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Steven have received word from their son, George Steven, saying that he expects to leave Berlin about Oct. 20, and should reach Algona in at least mid-November.
Source: The Algona Upper Des Moines, November 1, 1945
George Thomas Steven was born Apr. 26, 1923 to Robert Richard and Alta Esther Grimm Steven. He died Oct. 31, 2005 and is buried in United Brethren Cemetery, Polk City, IA.
Pvt. Steven served in World War II with the U.S. Army 17th and 82nd Airborne Divisions.
Source: ancestry.com
