Soldier Honored: Benjamin A. Stevenson

Army Master Sergeant Benjamin A. Stevenson, 36, of Canyon Lake, Tex., was assigned to U. S. Army Special Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C. On July 21, 2011, MSG Stevenson died in the Paktika province of Afghanistan of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

Born in Albany, N.Y., MSG Stevenson was a graduate of Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Tex. He enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in 1993. After completing Initial Entry Training and Airborne School, he was assigned to Delta Company in Fort Bragg, N.C. In January 2000, he graduated from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center to become a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant. By 2006, MSG Stevenson was assigned to the Army Special Operations Command (Airborne) in Fort Bragg.  He deployed seven times to Iraq and three to Afghanistan.

During his career, he served as a Tow Gunner, Squad Leader, Aircraft Powerplant Mechanic, Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant and an Assistant Operations Sergeant. MSG Stevenson was a highly decorated soldier. His awards include: Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal (5th award), Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor device and many others.

He is survived by his wife and two sons, both of which have been Folds of Honor scholarship recipients.