ROME O. STEPHENS

A flight of C82s drops tons of food, gasoline and ammunition to sustain the "defenders" at their Main River bridgehead in "Exercise Combine ."  Upper right, 1st Lt Rome Stephens (left) of 557th QM Aerial supply Co, who jumped in the company's supply drop, opens supplies under the direction of Maj. Gen. William H. Middleswart, EUCOM quartermaster ...
[Stars and Stripes, October 11, 1951, Page 5]

Flight Manifest for TransOcean Air Lines Flight FD-IS on 15 September 1954.  The aircraft departed from Rhein Main, Germany and landed at Idlewild, NY [now JFK Airport.]

Vault marker for Rome O. Stephens in Parkhill Cemetery,
Columbus (Muscogee County),
Georgia

He was a decorated 82nd Airborne WWII and Vietnam veteran, retiring after 34 years of service.

Col. Stephens was a member of St. Peter United Methodist Church. He was a past Mason and Shriner as well as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Columbus where he was a Past Governor.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Stephens and his two sons, Ernie Stephens and Richard N. Stephens. Survivors include his daughter, Rose Riddle of Gainesville, GA; eight grandchildren, Rev. Dr. John Stephens (Stephanie) of St. Simons, GA, Rev. Matt Stephens (Kristi) of Vienna, GA, Clay Stephens of Marietta, GA, Dave Stephens of St. Charles, IL, Stephen Riddle (Jenny) of Birmingham, AL, Chris Riddle (Michelle) of Atlanta, GA, Chance Stephens of Columbus, GA and Trent Stephens of Columbus, GA; six great-grandchildren, Sarah Stephens, Maddie Stephens, Sam Stephens, Russ Stephens, Samantha Stephens and Natalie Stephens; several nieces and nephews also survive.

[Jumpmaster note:  Stephens served with the 508th as a 2nd Lt. during the Holland campaign and was awarded the Bronze Service Arrowhead for participating in the campaign and Airborne operations.]