LOVETTSVILLE, VA, US
U.S. Army
SPC, TROOP B, 3D SQUADRON, 61ST CAVALRY, FORT CARSON, CO
10/03/2009, FOB BOSTICK, AFGHANISTAN
Specialist Stephan L. Mace, was killed on October 2, 2009 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan. He and eight of his unit members were killed when enemy forces attacked their contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenades and indirect fire. He was part of the 3d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado, he had deployed to Afghanistan in May 2009.
Stephan decided to enlist in the military, and obtained a G.E.D. so he could enlist. His younger brother had just finished basic training. He had openly discussed with his family his concerns about his contingency outpost location located in a Taliban stronghold district; but he still wanted to be there to contribute and make a difference.
Specialist Stephan L. Mace was from Lovettsville, Virginia. He was an active young man who kept continually busy with sports of any kind including basketball, and football. He was an avid and strong bike rider who even at age eight could knock out a forty mile mike trip. Besides being sports passionate, he was also passionate about history and his country.
On a 14,000 foot hike into the Colorado Mountains with his father just shortly after being assigned at Fort Carson, the two of them got to 11,000 feet in the climb, when it started to snow heavily. His Dad had doubts that it was wise and safe to continue. But, Stephan insisted on piling all the gear onto his back and said, “We’re going.” The two reached their selected 14,000 feet location goal. Stephan had learned to shoot and fish from his Dad and was already an outdoorsman early in his life. He even had unusual outdoor time as he spent some of his summers as a teen hunting in South Africa with friends at the veterinary clinic where he worked.
Stephan was a driven and thoughtful young man. He was the one teammates turned to because he seemed to ease things when it got tough. After the attack on his unit and while wounded, he gave to the captain by his side a Saint Christopher medal with instructions to pass it on to his comrades.
On a trip to Arlington National Cemetery, Stephan took a long time to reflect and think of those honored there. Now he is among them.