Robert Anthony Stever
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 8 April 2003, Staff Sergeant Robert Anthony Stever was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, SSG Stever’s fuel and ammunition convoy was re-supplying soldiers during the second 'thunder run' south of Baghdad, Iraq, when it was attacked. SSG Stever was a mechanic who should not have been in combat, but who had been sent to repair a damaged combat vehicle. When the enemy attacked, SSG Stever fired a full can of .50-caliber ammunition, reloading while speeding up the highway. SSG Stever was killed when his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. By exposing himself to danger and continuing to fire, SSG Stever helped to save the convoy from being overrun. SSG Stever’s courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
United Nations Medal
Presidential Unit Citation with 4 Bronze Stars
Army Valorous Unit Award with Bronze Star
Combat Action Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Robert A. Stever, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, when his fuel and ammunition convoy that was re-supplying soldiers during the second 'thunder run' south of Baghdad, Iraq, was attacked on 8 April 2003. Staff Sergeant Stever was a mechanic who should not have been in combat, but who had been sent to repair damaged combat vehicle. When the enemy attacked, he fired a full can of .50-caliber ammunition, reloading while speeding up the highway. He was killed when his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. By exposing himself to danger and continuing to fire, he helped to save the convoy from being overrun. Staff Sergeant Stever's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Burial

Staff Sergeant Robert Anthony Stever is buried at Skyview Memorial Park in Pendleton, Umatilla County, OR.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8174808/robert-anthony-stever