LEXINGTON, Ky. — Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is helping a Kentucky family recognize a military hero with a Bronze Star Medal and other honors, recognizing him years after his service ended. 

What You Need To Know

  • Sen. Rand Paul worked with the family of Patricia Ginter to honor her late father for his service in World War II

  • Cecil Steagall, Ginter’s father, served in Italy and Africa, but records of his service were lost in a fire

  • Steagall received posthumous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal of Valor, the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Eastern Campaign Medal

  • Paul says he regularly helps veterans get awards they have earned. Sometimes they are lost or stolen, but sometimes veterans don’t apply or know they are eligible for them

Particia Ginter’s family gathered in Lexington’s Marriott City Center for a private ceremony to honor her father, Cecil Raymond Steagall, who was drafted into service for World War II.

“He was a barber … he was not a barber, but they gave him that job,” Ginter shared.

Ginter says learning more about her father’s service record was tough after his service records were lost in a fire in the 1970s. She discovered he spent time in Italy and Africa. Ginter’s daughter Monica Sumner says Steagall himself often chose not to share the details about the war. 

“That generation didn’t talk about the war, so I have very little knowledge firsthand from him of these stories,” Sumner explained. “He was a very quiet man. He was a very humble man.”

Ginter says they were surprised to learn about critical injuries he sustained back in the 1940s that impacted him later on in life.

“The bullet was lodged next to his spine, and they were unable to take it out. So he carried that with him to where the rest of his life,” she said.

It’s one reason Paul has worked with the family for months to research, collect and certify the veteran’s time in service and to recognize Steagall with a posthumous Bronze Star Medal ceremony.

“Our office sort of specializes in this. And we’ve helped a lot of veterans get their medals. Sometimes they lose them in a house fire, sometimes they’re stolen, sometimes they just never were applied for,” Paul explained. “But you can see the appreciation, the family, I think they’re excited to get it.” 

Sumner and her mom describe him as a family-oriented, loving man who would be humble about his award today.

“Interesting to watch my mother piece these events together on his tour of duty as she discovered things. She was so excited she would often call and share what she learned today. So I was pleased for her and her brother to learn these things,” Sumner said.

Steagall was awarded three other medals, including the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Eastern Campaign Medal.

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