American veteran who was awarded Purple Heart

With the US stars and stripes draped over his coffin, a poignant farewell was bid to American war hero and ‘warrior’ Steve Speare who died on 3 February, 2008, aged 82.

The former marine, who won an array of awards for his bravery during the Second World War, was remembered as a ‘wonderful man’ who was full of life and loved by many.

Five members of the US Marine Corps and Navy stood to attention as tributes were paid to their former comrade who began serving as a marine radio operator at the age of just 17.

In a poignant gesture, the flag was folded up and presented to Steve’s widow Ann on behalf of the US president and the marines.

Mr Speare suffered from Alzheimer’s and died in Marldon, Devon, after being reported missing and later being discovered lying in a field.

Pastor Ray Richards described him as a man of many talents who enriched the world.

Pastor Richards told a packed congregation at the Moorview Chapel, on Barton Road, Torquay: "Steve was a man of life, man of joy, a man who once seen was never forgotten.

"He was a wonderful man and he was a man full of life and full of the joys of life. He loved doing everything."

Mr Speare was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1925 and his mother had to sign a waiver so he could join the US Marine Corps at the age of 17.

During the Second World War he made five landings on the Japanese islands, including Iwo Jima and Saipan.

Mr Speare was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded and had many tales of his landings.

Pastor Richards added: "He and many other young men witnessed things that should never have been witnessed and went through things they should never have had to go through.

"Steve the warrior stood up to the line. He and many other young men came back in the same spiritual quagmire, searching for the spiritual meaning of what they had gone through."

He returned to America after the war and met wife Ann in San Francisco. The couple married in 1962 in Nevada before they moved to Marldon in 1970.

Pastor Richards said it was a ‘beautiful union’ which blossomed, saying Steve developed a bond with England and had a strong Christian faith.

Mr Speare and his wife owned the Castle Baron restaurant, where he was popular with the customers and made many friends.

Jim Delves, the chairman of the South Devon branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, paid tribute to Mr Speare who he had met through the Memory Cafe organised by the charity.

He said: "In these short two years I’ve grown to love Steve as a brother. He did speak to me about his war experiences, which indicated why Steve was a man of peace.

"He wasn’t a pacifist but his experience had led him to believe that there were ways other than killing. His sudden death has badly hurt those of us left behind. We are left with the pain of his absence.

"Alzheimer’s is a progressive illness and it robs people of their dignity — of this Steve has been spared."

Lieutenant Jim Correia, from the US Navy and based in Dartmouth, said Mr Speare typified the core values of the navy — honour, courage and commitment.

He added: "One only has to look at Steve’s medals to realise that he was a man subjected to some very intense fighting."