LT. Commander Charles Gordinier Steele 128843
Lieutenant Commander Charles Gordinier Steele 128843 US Navy KIA. He was born on September 16, 1910 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, the son of Henry Francis Steele and May E Gordinier Steele. He Graduated from Lake Forest College in 1931. In 1940 he was living in Chicago Illinois he was working for Meredith Publishing Company. At this time, he was 6 foot 3 inches weighed 195 pounds had Brown hair and Blue Eyes. On January 2, 1944 he was serving on the USS Indianapolis. He also served on the U.S.S. Bunker Hill. Lt. Commander Steele was killed in action on May 11, 1945 at the age of 34, when a Japanese suicide plane struck the U.S.S. Bunker Hill off the coast of Okinawa. He was Awarded The PURPLE HEART MEDAL, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, LEGION OF MERIT the American Theater Medal, World War Two Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal with BRONZE BATTLE STARS.
“Flag Secretary and Aide to Vice-Admiral Mitscher on U.S.S. Bunker Hill. The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit posthumously to Lieutenant Commander Charles Gordinier Steele, United States Naval Reserve, for service as set forth in the following Citation : “For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Aide, Flag Secretary and Staff Watch Ofcer attached to the Staff of the Commander, First Carrier Task Force, embarked on the U.S.S. Bunker Hill, during combat operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War Area, from December 20, 1944, to May 11, 1945. Undaunted by the savage tactics of a ruthless enemy, Lieutenant Commander Steele rendered invaluable assistance to his commanding off’ cer during the planning and execution of extended operations against the Japanese Empire, including the first Tokyo raids, support of the landings on Iwo Jima, strikes against Kyushu and the Kure Naval Base, support of landings on Okinawa and an engagement with major units of the Japanese Fleet on April 7, 1945. A brilliant administrator, Lieutenant Commander Steele, by his aggressive leadership, unfaltering professional skill and outstanding ability as Staff Watch Officer, contributed essentially to the success of these vital operations and by his zealous efforts and gallant conduct throughout a period of bold offensive operations, materially furthered the incursion of the First Carrier Task Force in the restricted waters off the coast of Japan. For the President, James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy”
1- U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead,
2- the 1930 United States Federal Census
3- WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
4- U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949