John Scott Stephens
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

John Scott Stephens was born on 16 May 1965 in Prineville, OR, the son of Gene and Jo Stephens. His family later moved to La Grande, OR, where he was raised. In high school Scott was well-known for his love of sports. He participated in baseball, football, and was on the swim team. Scott was academically gifted and often tutored his classmates. He was a graduate of La Grande High School.

He loved watching professional football and baseball; specifically, the Bengals and Braves. Scott also enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and the great beauty of Eastern Oregon. He loved his country, and was known to get tears in his eyes when he heard the National Anthem. And, most of all, he loved his family.

Scott enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1985 and trained as a medic. He continued his education while in the Army and completed his Master's degree in Education in 2005. He planned to eventually become a teacher and a coach. Characteristically, he was involved in teaching at the time of his death. Scott was a member of a transition team advising Iraqi security forces; he was training the medics.

In 2007, Sergeant First Class Stephens was serving with the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, KS. In his unit he served as a medic and, as an experienced combat medic, trained others to be better medics. He had served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield and was currently on his third deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On 15 March 2007, SFC Stephens was driving a command vehicle that was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) when his patrol came under attack in Tikrit, near Baghdad. Scott died of his wounds sustained in that combat action.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Bronze Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal with 2 Silver Knots
National Defense Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star
Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Armed Forces Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with Award Numeral 2
United Nations Medal
Army Valorous Unit Award
Combat Medic Badge

Burial

Sergeant First Class John Scott Stephens is buried at Grandview Cemetery in La Grande, Union County, OR.

He is survived by his wife, Bea, and children, Brian, Cheryl and Darren; his parents, Gene and Jo Stephens of La Grande; a sister, Michelle Stephens Flowers of Hermiston; nephews, Tyler and Sean Flowers; grandmother, Gayle Stephens of La Grande; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.