William Charles Stefko was born on June 15, 1947, and lived in Bayonne, N.J. He was a graduate of St. Joseph’s School, Saint Peter’s Prep and attended Saint Peter’s College from 1966-1967 before enlisting in the United States Army in October 1967.

He did his basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and then went to Fort Knox, Kentucky, for radio school. He was accepted for enrollment in the Officers’ Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

After receiving his commission, his first assignment was with the Special Forces at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served with the Green Berets from March through October 1969. He left for Vietnam on December 29, 1969, and served with the 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. He attained the rank of first lieutenant.

On January 9, 1970, Lt. Stefko was killed in action when he was hit by mortar fire after his platoon came under enemy fire at an aircraft landing zone. The official casualty report shows "Killed in Action" by battle -- fragments, hostile mortar round. His wife was awaiting the birth of their first child within 10 days. Stefko was 22 years old.

Lt. Stefko was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He also received the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal,  Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Individual Citation, the Vietnam National Order, 5th Class, the Good Conduct Medal (as an enlisted man), the Parachutist Badge, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and the Bronze Star Medal, General Order 127, 173rd Airborne Brigade, conferred on January 16, 1970.