Lieutenant General Martin R. Steele (Ret)

Lieutenant General Martin R. Steele is the President & CEO of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City.  He retired from active duty in the Marine Corps on 1 August 1999 from the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps. 

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1965.  His initial tour of duty was with the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California.  He deployed to the Republic of Vietnam later that year.  Subsequently assigned as a corporal to the Officer Candidates School, and 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 USS St. Paul (CA-73) in Southeast Asia and an assignment as Office-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. 

An overseas assignment as an assault amphibious vehicle company commander and battalion S-3 was followed by duty as the Marine Corps Liaison Officer to the Project Manager M-60/M-I Tank programs at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command in Warren, Michigan.  He also served at headquarters Marine Corps as the Tank Acquisition Project Officer. 

In August 1985, Lieutenant General 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, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia. 

During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Lieutenant General Steele served as G-3, MARCENT (FWD) aboard the USS BLUE RIDGE.  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.  He was promoted to that grade on May 20, 1993, and was assigned duty as Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Quantico on June 15, 1993.  While serving in this capacity, he was selected in November 1994 for promotion to Major General.  He served as the Director for Strategic Planning and Policy, J-5, USCINCPAC, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii from April 17, 1995 to February 2, 1997.  In February 1997 he was promoted to Lieutenant General and assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies, and Operations at Headquarters Marine Corps. 

Lieutenant General Steele holds a BA degree from the University of Arkansas (1974); MA degrees from Central Michigan University (1981), Salve Regina College (1985), and the Naval War College (1985).  He is a distinguished graduate of the Armor Officer Advanced Course; an honor graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College; and a graduate of the Naval War College. 

His personal decorations include: The Defense Distinguished Service Medal; the Distinguished Service Medal; the Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal with gold star; and the Combat Action Ribbon.