On this date in 1946 Medal of Honor recipient Watertender Loddie (Laddie) Stupka died. 

Stupka was stationed aboard the screw steamer tug USS Leyden when it ran aground near Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island, January 21, 1903. The ship was returning to Newport, Rhode Island from duty in the Caribbean when it ran aground and foundered in the fog. 

Due to high seas, Coast Guard boats could not pull alongside the Leyden, preventing any rescue. Stupka volunteered to be lashed to a heavy wooden door and thrown toward shore. When he landed, he secured a line, which allowed to be hoisted ashore by breeches buoy. 

Stupka was born in Ohio, the son of Austrian immigrants. During the Spanish-American War he volunteered for the Army, but when discharged he then joined the Navy in 1899. He was initially stationed aboard the protected cruiser, USS Newark (C 1) which was one of the last Navy ships to carry sails for auxiliary power. 

When Stupka was again discharged in 1906, he worked as an auto mechanic in Baltimore and married a Czechoslovakian immigrant, Roseanna Fisher. By the time of his death he was working at the post office. 

Watertender Loddie Stupka is interred at Baltimore National Cemetery. He was 67. 

The Marine contingent on the poop deck of the USS Newark.

The Marine contingent aboard the USS Newark.

The USS Layden, a screw steamer named in honor of Stupka. 

The USS Leyden a screw steamer named in honor of Stupka

One of the 6" guns aboard the USS Newark. There is a rail in the deck which helps rotate the gu

Baltimore National Cemetery

In completeing my 10-year long project, "My Missions of Honor" I had intended to stop by and pay respects at Mr. Stupka's resting place. The weather kept us from making it to Baltimore but we still played Taps and said your name when we finally got down to Annapolis. Rest in Peace, Sir.

LADDIE STUPKA

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