Theodore "Ted" Stoma is a Vietnam War veteran and a career U.S. Navy sailor who served his country with honor for 30 years—20 years on active duty (1972–1992) and 10 years in the Navy Reserve (1992–2002). He retired with the rank of Boatswain’s Mate First Class (BM1).

Throughout his distinguished career, Ted held a variety of critical operational and security assignments at sea and ashore, including:

• 1972–1975 – USS Belknap

• 1975–1977 – Coastal River Squadron / Underwater Demolition Team 21 (UDT-21), assisting SEAL Team 2 during the Beirut evacuation efforts

• 1977–1979 – Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32)

• 1979–1981 – Security, NAS South Weymouth, MA

• 1981–1982 – USS Portland

• 1982 – Naval Station Philadelphia

• 1983–1986 – USS Suribachi

• 1986–1989 – Security, NAS Lakehurst, NJ

• 1989–1990 – USS Fulton

• 1990–1991 – Command Submarine Squadron 10

• 1991–1992 – Naval Submarine Support Facility, Groton, CT

Ted is the recipient of numerous personal and unit decorations, including:

• Navy "E” Ribbon (2 awards)

• Good Conduct Medal (5 awards)

• Navy Expeditionary Medal

• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

He also holds a number of unique distinctions earned during his naval service, including the Shellback certificate (for crossing the equator), a Gibraltar Strait transit certificate, and an NRA Marksman certification.

Ted married his wife, Sandy, in 1972. Together they raised three children and are the proud grandparents of twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild—with another great-grandchild on the way.

A lifelong resident of Port Jefferson Station, Ted joined VFW Post 4927 in 2022 and has been an active and engaged member ever since.