Private Robert John “Jack” Stevens

36834523

KIA

Robert John Stevens was born in 1911 in Michigan to Richard and Minnie (Chirgwin) Stevens.

From the 1920 US Census, the Stevens family lived in Allouez Township, Keweenaw, Michigan. The family included father Richard (39), mother Minnie (40), and children Elizabeth (14), Robert (9) and Minnie (3). Richard immigrated in 1903 and Minnie in 1909. They were both born in England to parents both born in England. They were naturalized in 1918. Daughter Elizabeth was also born in England and immigrated in 1909 and was a naturalized citizen. The other two children were born in Michigan. They rented their home and father Richard was a miner in the copper mine industry.

From the 1930 US Census, the Stevens family lived in Franklin Township, Houghton, Michigan. The family included Richard D. (48), wife Minnie F. (47), Elizabeth H. (23), Robert J. (19), and Minnie (13). They rented their home for $18. Father Richard was 23 and mother Minnie was 22 when they married. Father Richard immigrated in 1906 and wife Minnie and daughter Elizabeth both immigrated in 1909. Father Richard was a florist in a greenhouse, daughter Elizabeth was a teacher in public school and son Richard was a florist in a greenhouse.

From the Monroe County Local History Room Marriage Records Index, Robert John Stevens married Alberta Martha Scheppke in Monroe County, Wisconsin on August 22, 1936.

From the July 8, 1939 La Crosse Tribune Sparta news section, “Mr. and Mrs. Jack Stevens left for Hancock, Mich., in response to a message informing Mr. Stevens of the death of his mother, Mrs. Richard Stevens. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Stevens had returned Wednesday from Hancock, where they had been called by the senior Mrs. Stevens’ illness but she was apparently improving. Mrs. Stevens is survived by her husband, son, and two daughters.”

From the 1940 US Census, John Stevens (29) and his wife Alberta M. (25) lived in Sparta, Monroe County, Wisconsin. They rented their home for $20 a month. John was 29 and Alberta was 25 when they married. John had 3 years of high school and Alberta had 4. John was born in Michigan and Alberta in Wisconsin and they both were living in the “same place” in 1935. John was a grower at a green house for paid wages.

From the Monroe county Court Records Index, Robert. J. and Alberta M. Stevens were divorced in 1943.

From the September 10, 1943 La Crosse Tribune for Sparta news, “Alberta Stevens was granted a divorce from Robert J. Stevens, both of Sparta, on charges of cruel and inhuman treatment by Judge O. W. Sprecher Thursday. The couple was married in 1936 and there are no children. Mrs. Stevens was given the right to resume the use of her maiden name, Alberta Scheppke.”

From the 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division history, the regiment served in World War I and then again in World War II. They first served in North Africa in November 1942, then on to Sicily in the summer of 1943.

They landed in France on D-Day +4 on June 10, 1944. They went to St. Colombe and then fought through France.

They the headed into Germany crossing the Meuse River and Siegfried Line and the Roer River. Then the were fighting in the Hurtgen Forest. In March of 1945 they captured the town of Remagen and the Drohndorf in April of 1945 and connected with the Russian Army which was a signal that the war was close to its end.

From the July 31, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Jack Stevens Hurt in France,” with news from Sparta that “Pvt. Jack Stevens has been wounded in the shoulder during the offensive in France, a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hopkins revealed. His letter, written from a hospital, said he was receiving excellent care and was making satisfactory progress toward recovery.

Stevens, whose home in in Escanaba, Mich., was employed for nine years at the Sparta Floral Co., operated by Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins. He was inducted into service from Sparta last October and was sent overseas about six weeks ago.”

From the August 15, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Sparta Soldier Killed in France,” with the news from Sparta that “Pvt. Jack Stevens, 30, back in action after recovering from a shoulder wound received in the invasion of France, was killed in action July 26, his former employer, Glen Hopkins, learned Monday afternoon. Stevens was wounded in June and following hospitalization was back in action.

Stevens, the son of John (sic: Richard) Stevens, Escanaba, Mich., was employed at the Sparta Floral co., for nine years before his induction into the army in October, 1943. After training at Camp Wolters, Tex., he was sent overseas about two months ago.”

From the August 15, 1944 La Crosse Tribune, “Pvt. Jack Stevens Killed in France,” with the news from Sparta that “Pvt. Jack Stevens, 30, back in action after recovering from a shoulder wound received in the invasion of France was killed in action July 26, his former employer Glen Hopkins learned Monday afternoon. Stevens was wounded in June and following hospitalization was back in action.

Stevens the son of John (sic: Richard) Stevens of Escanaba, Mich., was employed at the Sparta Floral Co. for nine years before his induction into the army in October, 1943. After training at Camp Wolters, Tex. He was sent overseas about two months ago. A sister of Muskegon, Mich. Telephoned the news of his death to Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins here.”

Note: His sister was Elizabeth married to Samuel Dawes living in Muskegon in the 1940 US Census

From the September 6, 1944 La Crosse Tribune article titled “Memorial Services For Two Spartans To Be Held Sunday,” with the news from Sparta that “Memorial services will be held Sunday for two Spartans who lost their lives in France. Services for T/5 Daniel L. Shaw, who was killed July 31, will be held at the Methodist church Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and a memorial service for Pvt. Jack Stevens, who lost his life July 26 will be held at St. John’s Lutheran church at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Arthur Berg officiating.

Corp. Shaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Shaw of 819 Mill street entered service Feb. 1, 1942 and was with the 32nd division. The Rev. E. E. Clarke will deliver a memorial address.

Stevens, son of John (sic: Richard) Stevens of Escanaba, Mich. Was employed by Glen Hopkins at Sparta Floral Co., for nine years before entering service.”

From the September 27, 1944 Detroit Free Press listing of “Michigan War Casualties,” included Pvt. Robert J. Stevens, Muskegon Heights.”

From Honor States, Private Robert J. Stevens (#36834523) was from Monroe County, Wisconsin and served with the 60th Infantry Regiment of the 9th Division of the US Army. He was killed in action and received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously.

From FindAGrave, Pvt. Robert J. Stevens died on July 26, 1944 in France. He was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Department du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France.

Thank you, Private Robert John Stevens, for your service to and sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.

** Krista Finstad Hanson is a volunteer writer and historian working with the Stories Behind the Stars project. This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3.

Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smartphone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name, and read his/her story.