Joseph L. Stephenson, decorated World War II Army officer, Prince George’s teacher and coach, dies at 93 - The Washington Post

Joseph L. Stephenson, decorated World War II Army officer, Prince George’s teacher and coach, dies at 93 - The Washington Post: Joseph L. Stephenson, 93, a decorated Army captain who retired in 1962 and then spent 20 years as a social studies and history teacher in Prince George’s County Public Schools, died Feb. 26 at the Washington Home hospice in the District. He had pancreatic cancer.

The death was confirmed by his son-in-law Glenn Ivey, former Prince George’s County State’s Attorney.

After joining the Army in 1942, Capt. Stephenson served in Europe during World War II in the all-black 92nd Infantry Division, which saw much combat and had high casualty rates.

The division — which took its nickname “Buffalo Soldiers” from the 19th century black cavalrymen who fought in the American Indian wars — became the subject of the James McBride novel and 2008 Spike Lee film “Miracle at St. Anna.”