Jessie E. Stewart was born 10 March 1935 in Trumann, Arkansas.  He graduated in 1957 from Arkansas State College with a B.S.A. degree in agriculture education and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.  During his 13 years of military service, he distinguished himself with “raw guts and courage,” displaying traits and qualities of a true combat leader, commanding the respect and admiration of his former company, the 52nd Aviation Battalion’s “Flying Dragons” and numerous ground troops.  In addition to the Silver Star, Major Stewart has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, 17 Air medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Parachutist Badge and the Senior Aviators Wings.

 On 9 November 1967, (then) Major Jessie E. Stewart, mission commander of the 170th Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam, voluntarily made two sorties into a very small landing zone under intense enemy fire.  On four different occasions fighting grew so severe that the helicopters were pulled back until fighting subsided.  Despite heavy mortar and automatic weapons fire, he steadily pressed on until the battered and bloodied troops were extracted from the landing zone.   Because of his valorous actions, the dead and wounded did not fall into enemy hands.  Major Stewart’s actions and willingness to lay his life on the line to save his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.