Edgar Thornton Steward

Captain Edgar T. Steward MSC, USN (Ret), 97, died peacefully on May 19, 2019. A veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam he rose in the enlisted ranks to Chief Hospital Corpsman, was commissioned an Ensign and moved through the ranks retiring as Captain in 1979 after 38 years serving our country.

Captain Steward was born on August 3, 1921 in Clearfield (Conway), Iowa to Frank Paul Steward and Lena L. Swope Steward. He grew up in Clearfield and during his high school years moved with his parents to Jackson, Minnesota. In 1942, he joined the armed forces and was assigned to Hospital Corps School in 1943. In 1944 he attended Field Medical Service School after which he was deployed to the Pacific where he landed with the 5th Medical Battalion, 5th Marine Division, on Iwo Jima as a 2nd Class Pharmacists Mate. While on Iwo he served as an Operating Room Technician assisting surgeons working on wounded marines.

In 1951, Steward was promoted to Chief Hospital Corpsman while serving aboard the USS Consolation (AH-15). He participated in support of the Korean conflict, Pusan perimeter, Inchon Landing, Hungnam evacuation as well as 8 battle engagements in support of United Nations troops. Steward was appointed and commissioned an Ensign, MSC, USN, October, 1952.

Captain Steward served in various assignments throughout his career which included assignments in Newport, RI, Portsmouth, VA, Bethesda, MD, Quantico, VA where he served as one of the first Navy MSC officers to attend the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, Junior Course. Steward continued his stellar career by serving as the Company "C" Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, FMF, in Camp Lejeune, NC where he served temporarily as Commander during the bay of pigs alert in 1961. He served from August, 1965 to July, 1967 as the Executive Officer, Field Medical Service School, Camp Pendleton, CA where he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal as a Lieutenant Commander. From July, 1967 to May, 1969 he served again as the Executive Officer of Field Medical Service School in Camp Lejeune, NC after promotion to Commander. In 1969 Commander Steward reported for duty with the 3rd Marine Division, Republic of Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Steward was award the Bronze Star Medal with combat V, Combat Action Ribbon.

Steward was promoted to Captain in October, 1973 and served in various assignments until assuming command of the Field Medical Service School, MCB, Camp Lejeune, NC as the Commanding Officer. Captain Steward retired in December, 1979.

In addition to the Bronze Star, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 star, Korean Service Medal with 8 stars, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars as well as other commendations.

Captain Steward was a Commissioned Lay Pastor with the Presbyterian Church, a member of Rotary International, the VFW, DAV and the American Legion.

He is survived by his three sons, Paul Davis (Dave) Steward and his wife Hania of Cape Charles, VA, Joel Scott Steward of St. Augustine, Florida, and Matthew Gared Steward of Norfolk, Virginia; and his 4 grandchildren as well as his 4 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jean Davis Steward.

Captain Steward will be buried in North Carolina with his beloved wife, Mary Jean, at the Coastal Carolina Veteran's Cemetery in Jacksonville, NC. No arrangements have been made at this time, but will be forthcoming.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore, Virginia.