L T Stinnett

Their Story

            L.T. Stinnett was born on July 29, 1922, in Cooter, Missouri, to Wade and Maudie (Fuller) Stinnett. He received some education at a grammar school as a child (roughly equivalent to an elementary school), but worked as a farm hand afterward. At some point in his youth he moved to Arkansas, where he married his wife, Anna Lovell, in 1941. A year later, Stinnett enlisted in the United States Army to defend his country against the threat of the fascist Axis Powers of Europe and Asia.^[1]

            Stinnett served in the Pacific Theater of World War II, most notably with the 383rd Infantry Regiment in the Okinawa Campaign. The Okinawa Campaign was the last major campaign of the Pacific Theater, wherein the U.S. Armed Forces aimed to capture the island to use as a staging point for a climactic invasion of mainland Japan. The invasion of Okinawa was proceeding without much incident, until the U.S. forces encountered a heavily fortified Japanese defensive position at Kakazu Ridge. The 383rd fought in the three-week siege of Kakazu Ridge, taking heavy casualties in the process:

The first American effort to capture and hold Kakazu Ridge had failed. The 383rd Infantry Regiment… suffered terribly. Over 300 men were casualties in the initial fight for Kakazu Ridge, with the regiment’s 1st Battalion officially at half strength and unable to continue offensive operations… Not until April 21 did American infantry succeed in capturing Kakazu Ridge.^[2]

            The battle at Kakazu Ridge would herald the transformation of the Okinawa Campaign into a brutal meat grinder. Stinnett was able to survive to the end of the Campaign, and received an honorable discharge shortly after. Stinnett also wrote in favor of his comrade Edward Moskala, posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor for killing over 25 of the enemy and saving a wounded comrade who had been mistakenly left behind during the Campaign.^[3]

            Stinnett re-enlisted to serve for 19 more years with the United States Army. During this time, Stinnett served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Unlike his service in Okinawa, there are no lucid accounts of his specific actions in these conflicts; however, his long list of awards speak to his honor and distinction as a soldier. “While serving his country he received many decorations and awards including, the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge with two stars, and the Good Conduct Medal, along with numerous Letters of Commendation.”^[4] After 22 total years of service, Stinnett retired from the Army on April 1, 1966.

            After his Army service came to an end, L.T. Stinnett retired to Rock Island, Illinois, to live out the remainder of his days. He worked at the Rock Island Arsenal as a technical writer for eleven years. He was active in the local Masonic Lodge Trio #57 and the KAABA Temple, as well as in the veteran community via the local Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9 and American Legion Post #246. He passed away on April 17, 2007, at Silver Cross Nursing Home in Rock Island, and was survived by his wife Anna, two daughters, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.^[5] L.T. Stinnett leaves behind a legacy of bravery, honor, and distinction with his 22 years of soldiering for the United States.

^[1] “L T Stinnett,” Find a Grave, April 19, 2007; “L T Stinnett in the U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946,” Ancestry, 2005.

^[2] Seth Paridon, “The Invasion of Okinawa: Meatgrinder at Kakazu Ridge,” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans (The National World War II Museum, April 1, 2020).

^[3] “L T Stinnett in the U.S., War Department, Press Releases and Related Records, 1942-1945,” Ancestry, 2015.

^[4] “L T Stinnett,” Find a Grave, April 19, 2007.

^[5] “L T Stinnett,” Find a Grave, April 19, 2007.