Flying over Munich on his 25th or 26th bombing mission: "When the shell came in, it took the top off our wing. Our navigator got banged up pretty bad. You could hear the shrapnel and you could hear the plastic window shattering." Shrapnel ripped through Steve's right hand breaking several bones. "I thought I'd be a tough guy and fix it myself. So, I got me a tongue depressor, and put one on (onto the middle finger) there with tape. It stopped the bleeding. It was crooked. But it came out all right. I didn't want to miss (flights). I wanted to fly with my crew, we were just like brothers." Aboard the "B-17 Flying Fortress" Steve flew thirty-three missions as a nose-gunner/toggeleir over Belgium, France, Poland, and Germany. Looking forward to completing the standard twenty-five, then being reassigned, he continued to fly eight more missions to support the Normandy Invasion. In the 'warrior tradition' "…I carried a 'good luck charm' (sacred items) from home in my leather jacket." Steve carried the small head-feather tassel from a quail and three tuvah (pine nuts). "…And I said if one cracks…then that's it. After the 33rd Lt. Rooker (pilot) asked me why I was losing weight. I knew I was nervous deep inside my system…after a mission where I had a close shave or something…"

Steve was relieved of flight duties and ordered stateside due to battle fatigue. "I had three pine nuts and noticed that one was cracked. I've never shot another quail." Before each flight he would recite "…a prayer in Indian-Eh nah ei-ta ma-cee" (creator help me and watch over me). Steve was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, three Oak-leaf Clusters and two Major Battle Stars. Asked about a not receiving a Purple Heart; "…I didn't want to get a Purple Heart for something like that (hand)." Steve's mother, Mamie Tom Brown, received a Four Star Pin for having four sons in WWII at the same time.

We the People thank you Steve for your dedicated and courageous service. May you continue to swing your hammer.