Chief Warrant Officer Ignatius J. Stepchinski

Ignatius J. Stepchinski began his military career with the 111th Observation Squadron, 36th Division (Air Service), Texas National Guard on July 1, 1934.

Inducted into federal service in 1940 as a crew chief, he soon became the maintenance chief for inspection and maintenance, then line chief for all squadron maintenance personnel.

Mr. Stepchinski accompanied the 111th Squadron through staging in Scotland and England, then into combat in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany.

After returning to the Texas Air National Guard in October, 1946, he helped reestablish the maintenance program of the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Ellington Air Force Base. Three years later, he was activated again for the Korean conflict.

Upon his return to the Texas Air Guard in 1952, he resumed the duties of a line chief. August 4, 1958, he was commissioned a warrant officer and served as aircraft maintenance superintendent and aircraft maintenance officer until his retirement as a chief warrant officer (W-4) on August 5, 1976.

Texas Air National Guard

1983