Stedronsky is a Veteran of the Korean War, having been drafted in March of 1951. He felt that he was very lucky to have been drafted with three others from the Wagner area, Don Barta, Bob Mcquire, and Norm Woods. He attended basic training at Camp Gordon in Georgia and Camp Cooke in California. Stedronsky then received his specialty training as a cryptographer or code worker at Fort Myers in Virginia. He became a member of the Signal Core, which was a non-combat unit.

Stedronsky did not see any combat, but did have some very unique experiences during his time with the military. Having never traveled more than a few hours from the Wagner area, being drafted allowed for him to travel across the country via troop trains in getting to and from different military camps. During basic training Stedronsky joined a basketball team (each team member being over 6 ft) and participated in both military and non-military leagues while in California. Even though he was a part of a non-combat unit, he was trained as infantry by soliders that had returned from Korea. As a crytographer, he spent seven months working in the Pentagon with Top Secret clearance.

After he returned home in March of 1953, he joined the family business and helped run the Stedronsky Brothers Company hardware store in Wagner. He married JoAnn Broz and they had three children. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, and singing in the Methodist choir.

Stedronsky, age 94, has been a member of Greer Post #11 American Legion member for the last 69 years. During his membership he has held the office of Adjudant. He is also a member of the Masons, the United Methodist Church, and Rotary Club. Stedronsky also took part in the Midwest Honor Flight.

Thank you Joe for your service and for being the June Veteran of the month.