Bantam Legion Honors Navy Commander E. Seward Stevens

When the Tyler-Seward-Kubish Post 44 American Legion gathers at the All Wars Memorial in Bantam on Saturday, July 6, they will honor one of Litchfield’s most prominent citizens, World War II Navy Commander Edward Seward Stevens, as the July 2002 Veteran of the Month. The 10 a.m. service will start with retirement of WWII and Korean War Navy veteran Joseph Altieri’s flag. Altieri was the June 2002 Veteran of the Month.

Edward Seward Stevens joined the U.S. Navy Reserve after graduating from Yale University and was called to active duty in May 1941. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor his Navy career took him around the world, serving in various capacities including Deck Officer, Gunnery Officer and Executive Officer on convoy runs to Iceland, the Mediterranean Sea, and various areas of the Pacific. At the end of World War II he was in Hong Kong, where he served as Commander.

Commander Stevens was released from active duty in March 1946 and awarded the American Defense, American Theater, European Theater, Asiatic-Pacific Theater and World War II Victory Medals. For his exemplary service in the invasion of Borneo and the liberation of the Philippines, he was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and was the recipient of a special commendation from the Secretary of the Navy. He also was presented with a Navy Reserve Medal and qualified as an expert with the 45-caliber pistol.

"Ed" Stevens was born in New Haven on August 23, 1910, the son of Robert Cooke Stevens and Edna L’esgtrange Seward Stevens. He grew up in Wallingford and was a graduate of Wallingford High School, Yale University and the Brooklyn High School. He was a practicing attorney in New York and Litchfield. He was a former prosecuting Grand Juror for the Town of Litchfield and was founder, along with H. Gibson Guion, of the Litchfield Law firm of Guion, Stevens and Rybak. He was active in the community and served on the board of directors of many local organizations. He was proud of his distinguished Naval service in World War II, and each year marched in his full Navy uniform on Memorial Day in Litchfield. He was an avid fisherman and sportsman.

He died on September 11, 1999 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident while visiting in New Brunswick, Canada. He is buried in the East Cemetery in Litchfield and is survived by his wife, Virginia Oliver Stevens; two daughters, Karen Jorgensen and Diana Stevens; and a son, Edward Stevens, Jr. He is also survived by two brothers. His flag will fly at the All Was Memorial until August 3, when it will be retired and returned to his family members.

The Veteran of the Month Program sponsored by Post 44 American Legion of Bantam honors deceased veterans and those still missing in action. The veteran’s burial flag is the focal point of the honoring service. If the burial flag is not available, Post 44 will provide an honor flag for the service and honoring period. Honorings are currently being scheduled for the months of 2003. Anyone wanting to honor a deceased loved one can do so by contacting the program coordinators, Arthur G. St. John or Fletcher E. Cooper. Honorees do not have to be Bantam residents.