CPL ROBERT HUGH STEELE
Little is known about the early years of Cpl Steele other than he was born on April 30, 1944, in Conneaut, Ohio, and grew up with a younger sister named Rebecca. His neighborhood friends remember his as an active boy, playing ball and doing activities in the neighborhood. He had bright red hair and big blue eyes. In the late 1950’s the family relocated to Naples, Florida.
His sister recalls waving goodbye him as he boarded the train to head west for his journey to Vietnam. He wanted to go by train so he could see some of the country.
A Marine friend recalls them being stationed at USMC Marble Mountain Air Facility just outside Da Nang. He remembers him as a tall gangly freckled red head that always wore a smile. All of us lived in the same area, we shared 10 man “hooch”.
On August 28, 1967 he recalls several big explosions and he was, thrown off his bunk in a rocket attack. When he looked at the other end where “Bob” bunked, the entire hooch was a crater. He never knew what hit him. Four other Marines died in the attack and many others were wounded. He served with H & MS-16, MAG16, 1st MAW.
He was, awarded a Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service w/Bronze Star, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation and Vietnam Campaign Medals.
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