Benjamin Arthur Joseph Stoney

Benjamin Joseph Arthur Stoney was born in Yankee Hill, Butte County, California, on October 10, 1921, to Zena Clark Stoney. His Maidu Indian heritage came through his mother, a member of the Clark family, a Clan of the KonKow Tribe. He had three full brothers, in addition to two half-brothers from his step-father, Mullens.

After high school and four years of college, Benjamin found a job as watchman and guard. When the United States became involved in World War Two on the European and Pacific fronts, his sense of duty compelled him to enlist as a paratrooper in the Army’s newly formed Airborne Infantry, where the rigor, the discipline and the hard training were demanding. When the 101st Airborne was formed, only the toughest men were chosen to serve. This Division required highly motivated men, ready for hard training, to be parachuted from airplanes in hostile territory and to fight in extreme situations. Only 1800 men were selected out of 5300 initial volunteers.

Benjamin enlisted on August 4, 1942, in Los Angeles as a simple soldier, Army serial number 39530033. After basic training Benjamin was transferred to 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR, Easy Company, which later become famous, thanks to Steven Spielberg’s TV series, “Band of Brothers”. He was in a group of like-minded men (boys, actually) who were ready to fight for their country. In December of 1942 the 506 Regiment participated in a long, 125 mile march from Camp Toccoa to Atlanta, ordered by Colonel Sink to show his troops were up to beating the Japanese troops who had already completed a similar exercise. An article about the three-day march was published in some newspapers of the time.

Benjamin established a very strong bond of friendship with his fellow soldiers, who began referring to him as "Bud". On February 20, 1943, he was promoted to Sergeant T/5 (Technician 5th class). After their long, hard training, the 101st Airborne Division was transferred to England in September 1943 for final training. Sometime prior to the D-Day jump, Bud was promoted to Sergeant T/4 and was assigned to the Intelligence Section (S-2, HQ Company 2 BT), but he remained very close to several of the men of Easy Company, who still speak of him with the respect due a missing friend.

When D-Day came, thousands of American paratroopers were dropped behind hostile lines into countless hard battles. Benjamin had his rendezvous with destiny on June 7, 1944. Here are the testimonies of some who were with him on that terrible day.

extract from "My Encounter with Sgt. Benjamin J. “Buddy” Stoney’s Legacy" by Valeria Gallone

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 3 2019, 12:52:13 UTC
• Reference: California Births, 1905 - 1995 - SmartCopy: Dec 3 2019, 12:55:58 UTC
• Residence: 1930 - Durham, Butte, California, USA
• Race: White
  • Reference: 1930 United States Federal Census - SmartCopy: Dec 3 2019, 12:59:56 UTC
• Residence: 1940 - 1st, Carmel, Montery, Monterey, California, USA
• Race: White
  • Reference: 1940 United States Federal Census - SmartCopy: Dec 3 2019, 13:02:23 UTC