U.S. Military Service Honors
Recognizing Valor and Sacrifice
Local men and women of all races, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds, have served with distinction in every branch of the armed forces and earned every award for distinguished service and acts of valor in defense of this nation, its civil liberties, rights, and beliefs.
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The following list is not exhaustive, but instead represent some of the highest honors which have been received by Stamford citizens.
Medal of Honor
Awarded to service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.”
David H. Scofield’s grave marker, Darien, CT
Veteran Recognition
David H. Scofield
After enlisting in the Army to serve in the Civil War, David Scofield was assigned to the 5th New York Cavalry and eventually rose to the rank of regimental quartermaster sergeant. He fought at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864, and captured the flag of the 13th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.). He was awarded the medal of honor a week later.
Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded to a member of the United States Army (and previously, the United States Army Air Forces) for extraordinary heroism for actions in combat. This medal is similar to the Distinguished Service Medal (DSC), except the DSC is not limited to heroism during combat.
Kurt Karl Jobst, Jr.
Veteran Recognition
Kurt Karl Jobst, Jr.
Kurt Jobst, Jr. served in the Army’s 25th Infantry Division as a radio telephone operator during the Vietnam War. During the second battle of Tay Ninh on August 23, 1968, Jobst relayed vital information between his platoon leader and the company commander while exposed to enemy fire. After his radio was destroyed, he moved from position to position, encouraging, and assisting his fellow soldiers, and rescuing casualties. He was mortally wounded after saving the lives of 14 fellow soldiers. For his exceptional heroism at the cost of his own life, Specialist Fourth Class Jobst was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Navy Cross
Awarded to a member of the United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and to members of the Coast Guard when operating under the authority of the Department of the Navy for extraordinary heroism for actions in combat.
James Dockery
Veteran Recognition
James Dockery
During World War II, the U.S.S. Intrepid was stationed in the Philippines. On October 29, 1944, a Japanese Kamikaze aircraft attacked the vessel, which was bravely defended by the men of Gun Tub 10, one of the first all African American gun crews in the U.S. Navy, who did not leave their station. They shot at the plane as it crashed into them, killing 10 men and wounding 10 others. The crew was credited with saving the Intrepid. Stamford resident, James Dockery, was among those in Gun Tub 10 wounded in action and was awarded the Bronze Star. Fifty years later, he was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions that day.
James Albert Winslow
Veteran Recognition
James Albert Winslow
Another Stamford man, Pharmacist’s Mate James Albert Winslow, was also serving on the Intrepid. He rushed to Gun Tub 10 to rescue some of the men in the tub. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery. On November 25, two Kamikaze aircraft attacked the Intrepid causing an explosion which killed 60 men, including Winslow. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart posthumously.
Silver Star
Awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action.
Alfred E. Abbott
Veteran Recognition
Alfred E. “Bud” Abbott
Corporal Alfred E. “Bud” Abbott served as a Fire Team Leader with the First Marine Division, United States Marine Corps. Repeatedly exposing himself to heavy fire, Abbott led his men into an assault at Youngdungpo, Korea. He was seriously injured while destroying an enemy machine gun nest and spent almost two years in the hospital. He was awarded the Silver Star on September 21, 1950.
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded to a member of the armed forces for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Roger Preu
Veteran Recognition
Roger Preu
Roger Preu, an Art Teacher and Department Head at Stamford High School, served as a Wing Lead Bombardier on the B-17 “Slightly Dangerous” in the Army Air Force during World War II. He flew 30 missions over Germany and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and five Air Medals.
Bronze Star
Awarded to members of all branches of the military for meritorious service or for action in combat.
Brian Bill
Veteran Recognition
Brian Bill
Brian Bill served with the Navy Seals during the Global War on Terrorism. He participated in countless classified missions and was awarded three Bronze Stars with Valor, two Combat Action Ribbons, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and three Good Conduct Medals. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2011.
Ruth Lucas
Veteran Recognition
Ruth Lucas
Ruth Lucas joined the Woman’s Army Auxiliary Corps in July 1942. One of only 40 African American women in the class, she attended the Officer Candidate School and served as WAC Squadron Commander of the 463rd AF Base Unit stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After the Air Force became a separate military branch in 1947, Lucas attended Air Force Officer Training School, Air Tactical School, and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan. In 1952, she was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for her exemplary performance of duty. In 1968, became the first African American woman to achieve the rank of Colonel in the Air Force.
Purple Heart
The nation’s oldest active military award, this medal is awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed in service.
William Brown
Veteran Recognition
William Brown
Sergeant William Brown served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He was awarded the Badge of Military Merit (later renamed Purple Heart) by George Washington on May 3, 1783, in Newburgh, New York for his part in the siege of Redoubt No. 10 at the Battle of Yorktown. Out of ammunition and armed with only bayonets, Brown led an attack on the British line which left him wounded after a bayonet pierced his hand.
Combat Infantry Badge
Awarded to Army enlisted infantry, infantry or special forces officers in the grade of Colonel or below who personally engage the enemy in ground combat, or who satisfactorily perform their duties while being engaged in ground combat by the enemy.
Michael D’Agostino
Veteran Recognition
Michael D’Agostino
Lieutenant Michael D’Agostino was a member of the Army’s Fourth Division during World War II. He fought throughout North Africa and Europe, but earned specific recognition during active engagement with a heavily armed German unit. During this battle, he evacuated casualties of his platoon and saved the lives of several seriously wounded men. He was killed in action in Germany in September 1944. Highly decorated, D’Agostino earned the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Unit Badge, and posthumously, the Silver Star.
Presidential Unit Citations
Awarded to units of the armed forces of the United States and of cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy on or after December 7, 1941.
Sam Ichiba
Veteran Recognition
Sam Ichiba
Sam Ichiba was one of the over 100,000 Japanese Americans relocated to American Internment Camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with in 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated Japanese American unit which was one of the most highly decorated units in U.S. History. Sam earned the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Gold Star
WANT TO RECOGNIZE A STAMFORD VETERAN?
The Stamford Veterans Park Partnership is seeking more information on Stamford veterans. If you have a loved one whose service you’d like to recognize, please contact us by scanning the QR code here.