ST(M)A Fleming Alumni Veterans Award

In 2008, a new, annual tradition began at Saint Thomas Academy – the Fleming Alumni Veterans Award. As a ROTC charter military institute, our list of graduates who have served this nation in our armed forces is long and distinguished. As a result, the STA administration approved a new award to honor our veteran graduates. The award is officially named the “Fleming Alumni Veteran Award,” or simply the “Fleming Medal” after Captain Richard Fleming, Class of 1935, and recipient of the Medal of Honor and our highest decorated graduate. 
 
A design competition was held for cadets to create a medal that would capture the themes of STA, military service and country. After a difficult selection process, Cadet Andrew Sheaffer, Class of 2008, won the competition. His design superimposed the Maltese cross worn on the Cadet Class A lapel, with the school crest, crossed rifle and saber, and four blue stones to symbolize the pillars of STA. On the top of the medal, a Latin phrase reading PRO DEO et PATRIA, “for God and Country,” is inscribed.

2009 Recipients:
Jack Clarke, STMA Class of 1948
Clarke enlisted in the Army after graduation and qualified for a number of positions, including jungle warfare expert, and was a graduate of Special Forces school. He commanded infantry units in the U.S., Korea, Vietnam, Germany and Okinawa. He served in Vietnam; his Silver Star Citation reads in part "Throughout long hours of battle and while under fierce enemy small arms and grenade fire, Major Clarke repeatedly exposed himself to evacuate wounded men." In addition, Clarke was awarded two Bronze Stars for Valor, several Air Medals and Purple Hearts, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallentry.

Ken Deans, STMA Class of 1930
Deans was called to active duty in the Army reserve in 1939. He defended his country at Pearl Harbor and was then stationed in the South Pacific for two years. He was part of the foundation that developed the Army's rocket and nuclear missle program. For the past few years, LTC Deans has shared his Pearl Harbor story with high schools in the Twin Cities. He served as the honorary captain for the 2009 Cadets football team at Homecoming.

Robert Lee, STMA Class of 1943
Lee turned down a Naval Academy appointment to enlist in the Army and fight for his nation. As a commissioned second lieutenant, he became a platoon leader and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He led his men in attacks against the Sigfried Line, crossed the Rhine River and headed into Germany. In March 1945, he led an attached on the town of Olk, Germany, and was fatally wounded at the age of 19; his actions enabled his unit to take their objective. First Lieutenant Lee was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for Valor.

George Monahan, STMA Class of 1951
Monahan accepted an appointment to West Point and after graduation was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. In 1963, he served on the launch crew for the Gemini manned space flight program and flew in support of space and missle testing. He flew 122 combat sorties during Vietnam and received the Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit and numerous Air medals. In the 1980s, General Monahan was assigned as the Director of the Strategic Defense Initiative, responsible for developing technology to defend the U.S. against Russian nuclear attack. He passed away in 1993.

2008 Recipients:
Carl Baumgaertner, STMA Class of 1942
Baumgaertner was surprised to also receive his Silver Star medal, which was bestowed on him by Gen. George S. Patton Jr., commander of the 3rd U.S. Army for his acts of heroism and gallantry in 1945 during WWII. Due to combat, Baumgaertner never received the medal. In his remarks, Baumgaertner deferred the accolades stating that all of the U.S. military service personnel are deserving of recognition.

James Garberg, STMA Class of 1941   
Garberg is a highly decorated WWII veteran as well, having received the nation’s second highest award for heroism – the Distinguished Service Cross. The last sentence of his award nomination reads: “His gallant, determined heroism, and aggressiveness were inspiring to us all.”