William M. Steele
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
William Michael Steele commanded the U.S. Army, Pacific from July 1996 to October 1998. A native of Atlanta, Georgia
, he graduated from The Citadel in 1967 and earned a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University
in St. Louis. His military education includes the National War College
.
In Vietnam Steele served from 1969 to 1970 as battalion advisor for the 23rd Ranger Battalion and as operations advisor for the 2nd Ranger Group. Promoted to brigadier general in 1990, his major command assignments include serving as Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1993 to 1995. After his Hawaiian command, he served as Commanding General for the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
at Fort Leavenworth
, Kansas.
Other major duty assignments for Steele were Assistant Division Commander for the 8th Infantry Division in Germany from 1990 to 1991 and Deputy Commandant for the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Prior to coming to Hawaii, he served as Director for Operations for the U.S. Atlantic Command in Norfolk, Virginia
.
, the Defense Superior Service Medal
, the Legion of Merit
, and the Bronze Star
. He retired on 30 September 2001.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
William Michael Steele commanded the U.S. Army, Pacific from July 1996 to October 1998. A native of Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, he graduated from The Citadel in 1967 and earned a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University
Webster University
Webster University is an American non-profit private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools...
in St. Louis. His military education includes the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
.
In Vietnam Steele served from 1969 to 1970 as battalion advisor for the 23rd Ranger Battalion and as operations advisor for the 2nd Ranger Group. Promoted to brigadier general in 1990, his major command assignments include serving as Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1993 to 1995. After his Hawaiian command, he served as Commanding General for the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
The U.S. Army Combined Arms Center is located at Fort Leavenworth and provides leadership and supervision for leader development and professional military and civilian education; institutional and collective training; functional training; training support; battle command; doctrine; lessons learned...
at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, Kansas.
Other major duty assignments for Steele were Assistant Division Commander for the 8th Infantry Division in Germany from 1990 to 1991 and Deputy Commandant for the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Prior to coming to Hawaii, he served as Director for Operations for the U.S. Atlantic Command in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
.
Awards and decorations
General Steele's awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, the Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, and the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
. He retired on 30 September 2001.
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalThe Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with two oak leaf clusters
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
Army Commendation Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...