Henry P. Steele
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 6 October 1943, First Lieutenant Henry P. Steele was serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Plane in the 86th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 1LT Steele’s unit was in aerial combat against German forces in the Mediterranean Theater. 1LT Steele’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with Award Numeral 2
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Henry P. Steele (ASN: 0-374743), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 86th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the Mediterranean Theater on 6 October 1943. First Lieutenant Steele's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 24 (1944)

Burial

First Lieutenant Henry P. Steele is buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy, in Plot D, Row 10, Grave 10.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56314737/henry-p-steele