While on duty in the Pacific, Tony Stein came across a wrecked Navy fighter plane with its AN/M2 Aircraft machine gun still intact and had a eureka moment. Based on the 0.30 caliber M1919 Browning machine gun, the AN/M2 was lighter by around 30% â perfect for lugging around the jungle hunting down pesky enemies.
The AN/M2 had another advantage. The M1919 had a rate of fire of between 400 and 500 rounds per minute (doing so with a muzzle velocity of about 2,800 feet per second). The AN/M2âs rate of fire was almost triple; between 1,000 to 1,250 rounds per minute (rpm).
Stein had been a machinist. He took a stock from an M1 Garand 0.30 caliber semi-automatic rifle, a bipod from a BAR, a 100-round belted ammo carrier, and got to work.
Dubbed, âthe Stingerâ, Corporal Tony Stein would take this improvised weapon to the sands and volcanic ash of Iwo Jima. While here, Corporal Stein would lead one relentless charge after another on Japanese pill boxes as he unleashed the Stinger which could fire at rates of 1200-1500 rounds per minute.
On 8 separate occasions, he would brave the deadly enemy fire in order to run back to the beach for more ammunition and on each occasion he would pick up a wounded Marine to bring back with him. For his actions on Iwo Jima, Corporal Tony Stein with the aid of his Stinger was awarded the Medal of Honor and a unique place in the history of the Corps ability to adapt in battle.
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
ROCHESTEWRMILITSRY.COM
