Martin R. Steele (born 15 September 1946) is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. He served in combat during the Vietnam War and in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He served for 35 years in the Marine Corps before retiring in 1999. He then became the President and CEO of the

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum The ''Intrepid'' Sea, Air & Space Museum is an American military and maritime history museum in New York City with a collection of museum ships. It is located at Pier 86 at 46th Street, along the Hudson River, in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhoo ...

in New York City.

Early years and education

Martin R. Steele was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in

Fayetteville, Arkansas Fayetteville () is the second-largest city in Arkansas, the county seat of Washington County, and the biggest city in Northwest Arkansas. The city is on the outskirts of the Boston Mountains, deep within the Ozarks. Known as Washington until ...

. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas (1974) and Masters of Arts degrees from

Central Michigan University Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Established in 1892 as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, the private normal school became a state institution and renamed Cen ...

(1981),

Salve Regina College Salve Regina University is a private Roman Catholic university in Newport, Rhode Island, United States. It was founded in 1934 by the Sisters of Mercy and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The university enrolls m ...

(1985) and the Naval War College (1985). His military education includes the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Naval War College.

Military career

Steele enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1965. His initial tour of duty was with the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, during which he deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. Subsequently, assigned as a corporal to Officer Candidates School, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in January 1967. A tour of duty as a platoon commander, executive officer, and tank company commander in the 2nd Tank Battalion was followed by duty aboard the in Southeast Asia and an assignment as Officer-in-Charge of Sea School in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 1973, he returned to Camp Pendleton and served as a tank company commander, battalion S-3, and Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of the

1st Marine Division The 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) is a Marine division of the United States Marine Corps headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). It is the ...

. An overseas assignment as an assault amphibian vehicle company commander and battalion S-3 was followed by duty as the Marine Corps Liaison Officer to the project Manager M-60/M-1 Tank programs at the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive command in Warren, MI. He also served at Headquarters Marine Corps as the Tank Acquisition Project Officer. In August 1985, Steele returned to the 1st Marine Division, where he served initially as the Commanding Officer, 1st Light Armored Vehicle Battalion until June 1986, and then as the Commanding Officer, 1st Tank Battalion until June 1988. The following month, he transferred overseas where he was assigned as Operations Officer, C/J/G-3, Combined Forces Command, Republic of Korea. Upon his return from overseas in August 1990, he assumed the duties as the Deputy Director, Marine Air-Ground Task Force Warfighting Center, MCCDC Quantico. During

Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases: ...

, Steele served as G-3, MARCENT (FWD) aboard the . In July 1992, he was assigned duty as the Director, Warfighting Development Integration Division at Quantico. While serving in this capacity, he was selected in March 1993 for promotion to brigadier general; and was promoted on May 20, 1993, and was assigned duty as Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Quantico on June 15, 1993. Steele next served as the Director for Strategic Planning and Policy, J-5, U.S. Forces Pacific at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii from 1995 to 1997. While serving in this capacity, he was selected in December 1996 for promotion to lieutenant general. His final assignment was as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations at Headquarters Marine Corps. Steele retired from the Marine Corps in August 1999 after 35 years of service.

Post-Marine Corps

Steele became the President and CEO of the

in June 1999, leading the organization until Summer 2002. He continues to serve the museum as a trustee emeritus.

Awards and decorations

LtGen Martin Steele has been awarded the following: He also received the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation as well as several awards of both the Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol badges.

References

:''This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps. * *

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Steele, Martin R. Living people People from Fayetteville, Arkansas Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Marines United States Marine Corps generals Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal 1946 births