Beech Tree News Network

 Steven Glen Staples enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1976, shortly after graduating from Butler County High School. He attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and completed Advanced Individual Training in Avionics Mechanics at Fort Gordon, Georgia. In February 1977, he was assigned to A Company, 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was soon joined by his wife Linda Staples, who he married on July 16, 1977.

Steve quickly distinguished himself at Fort Campbell, where he was named Soldier of the Month for January 1978. He attended Primary Leadership Academy in July 1978 and was selected as the distinguished honor graduate. He was subsequently promoted to Specialist 5th class. He was honored as the 1978 Soldier of the Year for the 101st Aviation Group. In addition to his Army honors, Steve also became a father in April 1978, welcoming his daughter Mandy.

In September 1978, Steve transferred to the 114th Aviation Company, 210th Aviation Battalion, Panama Canal Zone. Thia unit was responsible for providing air support for Canal Security, Medevac, the Jungle Operations Center, and the Organization of American States, in addition to providing helicopters equipped for command and control. The 114th Aviation Company supported the Organization of American States by performing temporary duty in both El Salvador and Honduras and supported High Altitude Flight Training in Costa Rica. Steve received the Army Commendation Medal while stationed in Panama.

Steve transferred to B Troop 7/17 Cavalry Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Combat Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas, in November 1980. While stationed in Fort Hood, Steve and Linda completed their family with the birth of their second daughter, Pamela. Steve was released from active duty and joined the Army Reserves 100th Division (Training) in 1982. The Staples family moved back to Morgantown, KY, where Steve began a 29-year career at Tennessee Valley Authority.

While in the Army Reserves, Steve attended training to be a M60 Tank Commander at Bluegrass Army Depot, after which he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He completed U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School at Ft. Knox, KY, and was then promoted to Sergeant First Class. He served as an instructor at the Leadership Reaction Course at Ft Bragg, South Carolina. Additionally, he completed U.S. Army M1 Tank transition at Ft Knox, KY. While serving in the Army Reserves, Steve was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.

In 1996, Steve retired as Company Training NCO for E Company 3rd Battalion-398th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 100th Division. He retired from TVA as a Maintenance Superintendent in 2013. Family members in the DAR include Linda Deweese and the late Wanna Evans.

The Butler County Chapter NSDAR will recognize Steve Staples as one of our Veterans of the Year at our 39th annual Veterans Breakfast on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 9:00 AM. The breakfast will be at Butler County High School in the Commons Area. All Veterans are invited to attend and enjoy a delicious breakfast. At 2:00 that afternoon the VFW will sponsor the annual Veterans Parade, then the Green River Chapter NSDAR will have a reception at Morgantown Elementary School.