In Loving Memory of ... Sp5 William Joseph Steffes.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in me, your brother, sisters and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
WILLIAM JOSEPH STEFFES - Army - SP5 - E5
Age: 21
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Sep 13, 1946
From: ST CLOUD, MN
Religion: LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Marital Status: Single - Father, Louis E. Steffes, 85 years of age. Feb. 25, 1925 -March 5, 2010 of Waite Park. Mother, Renee Varner Steffes. Brothers, Jack (Ruth) of Sartell and Les (Kathy) of St. Cloud.
***** Father's Obit....Louis E. Steffes, 85 years of age.
Waite Park Feb. 25, 1925 -March 5, 2010 of Waite Park will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud. Louis died on March 5, 2010 at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family. Burial will be in North Star Cemetery with full military honors.
Louis was born on Feb. 25, 1925 in St. Cloud to Joseph and Mary (Dambly) Steffes. He served in the US Army in the 28th Division, 110th Infantry during WW II. He married Renee Varner on Feb. 4, 1946 in St. Cloud. He owned and operated El–Jay Plumbing and Heating until he retired in 1974. Survivors include his wife of 64 years Renee, sons Jack (Ruth) of Sartell, Les (Kathy) of St. Cloud; sister Dorothy Carlson of Alexandria, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son William who died while serving in the Army.
** I miss you Billy,
Jim Steffes, ENC, USN Retired
Sun City, CA
My first cousin
***** 10 Oct 2006 - I knew Steffes. I was assigned to the 537th (520th) Personnel Service Company at Bien Hoa, Vietnam. I had only been with the company a week or so - having just extended my tour from the 25th Inf Div. It was at the beginning of February 1968. The Viet Cong and NVA had swept through the village of Bien Hoa using their bayonets and knives on the innocent women and children of the village. When they came out on the other side they found themselves in a small valley between Long Bien and Bien Hoa. The 3rd Squadron of 11th ACR had them encircled. Once they realized they were in a bad position, they came out in a frenzy. The main gate for Bien Hoa reminded me of an old western fort gate. A large group of the enemy came through or over that gate. They overwhelmed members of 101 Airborne who were naming the main perimeter. The only forces between them were the MPs and our company. The few enemy left were finally pinned down and captured inside our jungle training area.
I was standing between the company and the main gate, near one of our shower-rooms and the commander's office. Specialist Steffes was standing between me and the commander's office.
Our company suffered one casualty - Specialist Steffes. Near the end of that day's events, I remember he was struck and quickly died from a large caliber round, I was told later it was a .50 caliber round. Some seemed to believe it may have been a ricochet, possibly from US Forces.
From a fellow soldier,
Donald Patrick
SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
1st Log Command
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Jul 3, 1967
Casualty was on Jan 31, 1968
In BIEN HOA, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Panel 36E - Line 39
Other Personnel In Incident:
Five men are known to have died as a result of the attack:
Capt Reginald V. Maisey, USAF, Sonoma, CA (3rd Sec Police Sqdn) (Air Force Cross)
SSgt Ralph T. Berry, USAF, Escondido, CA (303rd Munitions Sqdn)
Sgt James B. Des Rochers, USAF, Chicago, IL (19th TASS) SP5 William J. Steffes, Army, St Cloud, MN (520th Personnel Services Co)
A1C Edward G. Muse, USAF, Tutwiler, MS (3rd Cbt Spt Grp)
SP5 Steffes served with the 520th Personnel Service Company, 1st Logistical Command. (520th Personnel Service Company positions were intermixed with the personnel positions from the 537th Personnel Service Company. The two operated as one unit.
Killed during an attack on Bien Hoa AB. During the early morning hours of 31 Jan 1968 the Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon was assaulted by two North Vietnamese battalions supported by sappers and mortar and rocket fire.
Although the base perimeter was breached in several places, the primary defenders (the 3rd Security Police Squadron) were able to protect the heart of the base from ground attack until infantry reinforcements arrived at sun-up.
The initial assault on Bien Hoa Air Force base was eventually repulsed by the Air Force. The repulsed NVA forces retreated to the other side of the base, thru the small town of Bien Hoa. Where they killed everyone they encountered, including women and children.
They came out into a shallow valley between Long Binh Army Post and Bien Hoa Army Base (Post). These NVA were stopped and cornered by 3d Sqdn, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and several helicopter gunships, whose miniguns and later cannister rounds played havoc and destruction on them.
Some of the NVA frantically fought their way out and physically came over the South gate at Bien Hoa Army Post. later others from a third hidden NVA battalion breached the Long Binh Post perimeter near USARV Headquarters.
It was during this time that Bill was killed. Bill was lying on the ground just to the front and left side of the company headquarters, surrounded by one or two others. Several rushed over to help, but it was too late
**********************************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in me, your brother, sisters and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
WILLIAM JOSEPH STEFFES - Army - SP5 - E5
Age: 21
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Sep 13, 1946
From: ST CLOUD, MN
Religion: LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Marital Status: Single - Father, Louis E. Steffes, 85 years of age. Feb. 25, 1925 -March 5, 2010 of Waite Park. Mother, Renee Varner Steffes. Brothers, Jack (Ruth) of Sartell and Les (Kathy) of St. Cloud.
***** Father's Obit....Louis E. Steffes, 85 years of age.
Waite Park Feb. 25, 1925 -March 5, 2010 of Waite Park will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud. Louis died on March 5, 2010 at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family. Burial will be in North Star Cemetery with full military honors.
Louis was born on Feb. 25, 1925 in St. Cloud to Joseph and Mary (Dambly) Steffes. He served in the US Army in the 28th Division, 110th Infantry during WW II. He married Renee Varner on Feb. 4, 1946 in St. Cloud. He owned and operated El–Jay Plumbing and Heating until he retired in 1974. Survivors include his wife of 64 years Renee, sons Jack (Ruth) of Sartell, Les (Kathy) of St. Cloud; sister Dorothy Carlson of Alexandria, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son William who died while serving in the Army.
** I miss you Billy,
Jim Steffes, ENC, USN Retired
Sun City, CA
My first cousin
***** 10 Oct 2006 - I knew Steffes. I was assigned to the 537th (520th) Personnel Service Company at Bien Hoa, Vietnam. I had only been with the company a week or so - having just extended my tour from the 25th Inf Div. It was at the beginning of February 1968. The Viet Cong and NVA had swept through the village of Bien Hoa using their bayonets and knives on the innocent women and children of the village. When they came out on the other side they found themselves in a small valley between Long Bien and Bien Hoa. The 3rd Squadron of 11th ACR had them encircled. Once they realized they were in a bad position, they came out in a frenzy. The main gate for Bien Hoa reminded me of an old western fort gate. A large group of the enemy came through or over that gate. They overwhelmed members of 101 Airborne who were naming the main perimeter. The only forces between them were the MPs and our company. The few enemy left were finally pinned down and captured inside our jungle training area.
I was standing between the company and the main gate, near one of our shower-rooms and the commander's office. Specialist Steffes was standing between me and the commander's office.
Our company suffered one casualty - Specialist Steffes. Near the end of that day's events, I remember he was struck and quickly died from a large caliber round, I was told later it was a .50 caliber round. Some seemed to believe it may have been a ricochet, possibly from US Forces.
From a fellow soldier,
Donald Patrick
SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
1st Log Command
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Jul 3, 1967
Casualty was on Jan 31, 1968
In BIEN HOA, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Panel 36E - Line 39
Other Personnel In Incident:
Five men are known to have died as a result of the attack:
Capt Reginald V. Maisey, USAF, Sonoma, CA (3rd Sec Police Sqdn) (Air Force Cross)
SSgt Ralph T. Berry, USAF, Escondido, CA (303rd Munitions Sqdn)
Sgt James B. Des Rochers, USAF, Chicago, IL (19th TASS) SP5 William J. Steffes, Army, St Cloud, MN (520th Personnel Services Co)
A1C Edward G. Muse, USAF, Tutwiler, MS (3rd Cbt Spt Grp)
SP5 Steffes served with the 520th Personnel Service Company, 1st Logistical Command. (520th Personnel Service Company positions were intermixed with the personnel positions from the 537th Personnel Service Company. The two operated as one unit.
Killed during an attack on Bien Hoa AB. During the early morning hours of 31 Jan 1968 the Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon was assaulted by two North Vietnamese battalions supported by sappers and mortar and rocket fire.
Although the base perimeter was breached in several places, the primary defenders (the 3rd Security Police Squadron) were able to protect the heart of the base from ground attack until infantry reinforcements arrived at sun-up.
The initial assault on Bien Hoa Air Force base was eventually repulsed by the Air Force. The repulsed NVA forces retreated to the other side of the base, thru the small town of Bien Hoa. Where they killed everyone they encountered, including women and children.
They came out into a shallow valley between Long Binh Army Post and Bien Hoa Army Base (Post). These NVA were stopped and cornered by 3d Sqdn, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and several helicopter gunships, whose miniguns and later cannister rounds played havoc and destruction on them.
Some of the NVA frantically fought their way out and physically came over the South gate at Bien Hoa Army Post. later others from a third hidden NVA battalion breached the Long Binh Post perimeter near USARV Headquarters.
It was during this time that Bill was killed. Bill was lying on the ground just to the front and left side of the company headquarters, surrounded by one or two others. Several rushed over to help, but it was too late
**********************************************
.
In Loving Memory of ... Sp5 William Joseph Steffes.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in me, your brother, sisters and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
WILLIAM JOSEPH STEFFES - Army - SP5 - E5
Age: 21
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Sep 13, 1946
From: ST CLOUD, MN
Religion: LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Marital Status: Single - Father, Louis E. Steffes, 85 years of age. Feb. 25, 1925 -March 5, 2010 of Waite Park. Mother, Renee Varner Steffes. Brothers, Jack (Ruth) of Sartell and Les (Kathy) of St. Cloud.
***** Father's Obit....Louis E. Steffes, 85 years of age.
Waite Park Feb. 25, 1925 -March 5, 2010 of Waite Park will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud. Louis died on March 5, 2010 at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family. Burial will be in North Star Cemetery with full military honors.
Louis was born on Feb. 25, 1925 in St. Cloud to Joseph and Mary (Dambly) Steffes. He served in the US Army in the 28th Division, 110th Infantry during WW II. He married Renee Varner on Feb. 4, 1946 in St. Cloud. He owned and operated El–Jay Plumbing and Heating until he retired in 1974. Survivors include his wife of 64 years Renee, sons Jack (Ruth) of Sartell, Les (Kathy) of St. Cloud; sister Dorothy Carlson of Alexandria, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son William who died while serving in the Army.
** I miss you Billy,
Jim Steffes, ENC, USN Retired
Sun City, CA
My first cousin
***** 10 Oct 2006 - I knew Steffes. I was assigned to the 537th (520th) Personnel Service Company at Bien Hoa, Vietnam. I had only been with the company a week or so - having just extended my tour from the 25th Inf Div. It was at the beginning of February 1968. The Viet Cong and NVA had swept through the village of Bien Hoa using their bayonets and knives on the innocent women and children of the village. When they came out on the other side they found themselves in a small valley between Long Bien and Bien Hoa. The 3rd Squadron of 11th ACR had them encircled. Once they realized they were in a bad position, they came out in a frenzy. The main gate for Bien Hoa reminded me of an old western fort gate. A large group of the enemy came through or over that gate. They overwhelmed members of 101 Airborne who were naming the main perimeter. The only forces between them were the MPs and our company. The few enemy left were finally pinned down and captured inside our jungle training area.
I was standing between the company and the main gate, near one of our shower-rooms and the commander's office. Specialist Steffes was standing between me and the commander's office.
Our company suffered one casualty - Specialist Steffes. Near the end of that day's events, I remember he was struck and quickly died from a large caliber round, I was told later it was a .50 caliber round. Some seemed to believe it may have been a ricochet, possibly from US Forces.
From a fellow soldier,
Donald Patrick
SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
1st Log Command
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Jul 3, 1967
Casualty was on Jan 31, 1968
In BIEN HOA, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Panel 36E - Line 39
Other Personnel In Incident:
Five men are known to have died as a result of the attack:
Capt Reginald V. Maisey, USAF, Sonoma, CA (3rd Sec Police Sqdn) (Air Force Cross)
SSgt Ralph T. Berry, USAF, Escondido, CA (303rd Munitions Sqdn)
Sgt James B. Des Rochers, USAF, Chicago, IL (19th TASS) SP5 William J. Steffes, Army, St Cloud, MN (520th Personnel Services Co)
A1C Edward G. Muse, USAF, Tutwiler, MS (3rd Cbt Spt Grp)
SP5 Steffes served with the 520th Personnel Service Company, 1st Logistical Command. (520th Personnel Service Company positions were intermixed with the personnel positions from the 537th Personnel Service Company. The two operated as one unit.
Killed during an attack on Bien Hoa AB. During the early morning hours of 31 Jan 1968 the Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon was assaulted by two North Vietnamese battalions supported by sappers and mortar and rocket fire.
Although the base perimeter was breached in several places, the primary defenders (the 3rd Security Police Squadron) were able to protect the heart of the base from ground attack until infantry reinforcements arrived at sun-up.
The initial assault on Bien Hoa Air Force base was eventually repulsed by the Air Force. The repulsed NVA forces retreated to the other side of the base, thru the small town of Bien Hoa. Where they killed everyone they encountered, including women and children.
They came out into a shallow valley between Long Binh Army Post and Bien Hoa Army Base (Post). These NVA were stopped and cornered by 3d Sqdn, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and several helicopter gunships, whose miniguns and later cannister rounds played havoc and destruction on them.
Some of the NVA frantically fought their way out and physically came over the South gate at Bien Hoa Army Post. later others from a third hidden NVA battalion breached the Long Binh Post perimeter near USARV Headquarters.
It was during this time that Bill was killed. Bill was lying on the ground just to the front and left side of the company headquarters, surrounded by one or two others. Several rushed over to help, but it was too late
**********************************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in me, your brother, sisters and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
WILLIAM JOSEPH STEFFES - Army - SP5 - E5
Age: 21
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Sep 13, 1946
From: ST CLOUD, MN
Religion: LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Marital Status: Single - Father, Louis E. Steffes, 85 years of age. Feb. 25, 1925 -March 5, 2010 of Waite Park. Mother, Renee Varner Steffes. Brothers, Jack (Ruth) of Sartell and Les (Kathy) of St. Cloud.
***** Father's Obit....Louis E. Steffes, 85 years of age.
Waite Park Feb. 25, 1925 -March 5, 2010 of Waite Park will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud. Louis died on March 5, 2010 at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family. Burial will be in North Star Cemetery with full military honors.
Louis was born on Feb. 25, 1925 in St. Cloud to Joseph and Mary (Dambly) Steffes. He served in the US Army in the 28th Division, 110th Infantry during WW II. He married Renee Varner on Feb. 4, 1946 in St. Cloud. He owned and operated El–Jay Plumbing and Heating until he retired in 1974. Survivors include his wife of 64 years Renee, sons Jack (Ruth) of Sartell, Les (Kathy) of St. Cloud; sister Dorothy Carlson of Alexandria, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son William who died while serving in the Army.
** I miss you Billy,
Jim Steffes, ENC, USN Retired
Sun City, CA
My first cousin
***** 10 Oct 2006 - I knew Steffes. I was assigned to the 537th (520th) Personnel Service Company at Bien Hoa, Vietnam. I had only been with the company a week or so - having just extended my tour from the 25th Inf Div. It was at the beginning of February 1968. The Viet Cong and NVA had swept through the village of Bien Hoa using their bayonets and knives on the innocent women and children of the village. When they came out on the other side they found themselves in a small valley between Long Bien and Bien Hoa. The 3rd Squadron of 11th ACR had them encircled. Once they realized they were in a bad position, they came out in a frenzy. The main gate for Bien Hoa reminded me of an old western fort gate. A large group of the enemy came through or over that gate. They overwhelmed members of 101 Airborne who were naming the main perimeter. The only forces between them were the MPs and our company. The few enemy left were finally pinned down and captured inside our jungle training area.
I was standing between the company and the main gate, near one of our shower-rooms and the commander's office. Specialist Steffes was standing between me and the commander's office.
Our company suffered one casualty - Specialist Steffes. Near the end of that day's events, I remember he was struck and quickly died from a large caliber round, I was told later it was a .50 caliber round. Some seemed to believe it may have been a ricochet, possibly from US Forces.
From a fellow soldier,
Donald Patrick
SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
1st Log Command
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Jul 3, 1967
Casualty was on Jan 31, 1968
In BIEN HOA, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Panel 36E - Line 39
Other Personnel In Incident:
Five men are known to have died as a result of the attack:
Capt Reginald V. Maisey, USAF, Sonoma, CA (3rd Sec Police Sqdn) (Air Force Cross)
SSgt Ralph T. Berry, USAF, Escondido, CA (303rd Munitions Sqdn)
Sgt James B. Des Rochers, USAF, Chicago, IL (19th TASS) SP5 William J. Steffes, Army, St Cloud, MN (520th Personnel Services Co)
A1C Edward G. Muse, USAF, Tutwiler, MS (3rd Cbt Spt Grp)
SP5 Steffes served with the 520th Personnel Service Company, 1st Logistical Command. (520th Personnel Service Company positions were intermixed with the personnel positions from the 537th Personnel Service Company. The two operated as one unit.
Killed during an attack on Bien Hoa AB. During the early morning hours of 31 Jan 1968 the Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon was assaulted by two North Vietnamese battalions supported by sappers and mortar and rocket fire.
Although the base perimeter was breached in several places, the primary defenders (the 3rd Security Police Squadron) were able to protect the heart of the base from ground attack until infantry reinforcements arrived at sun-up.
The initial assault on Bien Hoa Air Force base was eventually repulsed by the Air Force. The repulsed NVA forces retreated to the other side of the base, thru the small town of Bien Hoa. Where they killed everyone they encountered, including women and children.
They came out into a shallow valley between Long Binh Army Post and Bien Hoa Army Base (Post). These NVA were stopped and cornered by 3d Sqdn, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and several helicopter gunships, whose miniguns and later cannister rounds played havoc and destruction on them.
Some of the NVA frantically fought their way out and physically came over the South gate at Bien Hoa Army Post. later others from a third hidden NVA battalion breached the Long Binh Post perimeter near USARV Headquarters.
It was during this time that Bill was killed. Bill was lying on the ground just to the front and left side of the company headquarters, surrounded by one or two others. Several rushed over to help, but it was too late
**********************************************
.
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