Langevin Presents Family of U.S Army Veteran with Military Decorations for Service during World War I

WARWICK, R.I. – Today, Congressman Jim Langevin, along with Rhode Island Veterans
Affairs Director Kasim Yarn and Rhode Island Adjutant General Christopher Callahan,
presented the family of former State Senator and World War I veteran Stephen
Macomber with military decorations- including a Purple Heart- for his service in the
U.S. Army.

Macomber was born in Westerly in November 1889 and attended Westerly schools before
studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. Upon graduating from RISD in 1913, he
taught art at the college before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1918. Macomber
served in the Headquarters Company, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Field
Artillery Brigade, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, France, and took
part in several significant campaigns, including the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and the
Battle of St. Mihiel.

Private Macomber was awarded a Purple Heart after he was gassed during the
Meuse-Argonne Offensive in October 1918. Following two hospitalizations, he was
granted leave to study art at l’Academie Julienne in Paris before returning home.

Macomber returned to RISD in 1928 where he became an instructor of drawing and
painting; he remained at the college until his retirement. In 1974, the college
awarded Macomber a Gold Medallion in recognition of his more than 60 years of
service to the institution.

Beyond his educational and artistic achievements, Macomber served as a Westerly Town
Council member and as a state senator in the late 1940s. He passed away in 1983 at
the age of 93.

Macomber’s family contacted Congressman Langevin for assistance in receiving the
service awards. Langevin’s office corresponded with the National Personnel Records
Center and was able to retrieve all of Private Macomber’s awards.

The decorations presented include a Purple Heart; a World War I Victory Medal with
Aisne-Marne, Meuse-Argonne, and St. Mihiel Battle Clasps, and a France Service
Clasp; an Army of Occupation of Germany Medal and a World War I Victory Button.

«Mr. Macomber sacrificed a great deal during his service in the U.S. Army, and I’m
honored to recognize his dedication to our country by presenting these military
decorations to his family,» said Congressman Langevin.

Private Macomber’s son, John, accepted these Private Macomber’s son, John, accepted
these awards in honor of his late father.

«My father was extremely proud of his service in World War I and our entire family
is thankful for the Congressman’s help in getting the military awards he earned many
years ago,» said John Macomber. «These awards will help us remember the bravery of
my father and I’m honored to accept them on his behalf.»