Michael D. Steele
| Michael Dane Steele | |
|---|---|
| Born | Statham, Georgia |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1983–2010 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Commands held | Rifle Company Commander, A Co., 4th Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division; Rifle Company Commander, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; Commander, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division; Commander, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars |
Operation Just Cause Operation Gothic Serpent Operation Joint Guardian Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Awards |
 Legion of Merit Bronze Star with valor device Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Kosovo Campaign Medal Iraqi Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon
|
Michael D. Steele is a retired Colonel of the United States Army. He was a company commander in the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment during the Somalia mission Operation Gothic Serpent, which resulted in the now famous book and movie Black Hawk Down, where he was portrayed by actor Jason Isaacs. He briefly appears in the documentary I Am an American Soldier.
He was investigated in conjunction with the murders of three unarmed Iraqis during Operation Iron Triangle. The four soldiers charged in the case testified that Steele had instructed them to "kill all military-age males. Steele denied giving such an order, and was formally reprimanded but not charged.
Colonel Steele is from the small northeast Georgia town of Statham. He attended and was an offensive lineman for the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team, during the Vince Dooley era. In 1980, the Bulldogs were crowned national champions. Upon graduation, Steele was commissioned as an infantry officer through Army ROTC in 1983. His first assignment was to the Berlin Brigade in West Berlin. Later he received a master's degree from Central Michigan University. His military education includes the following: Airborne School, Ranger School, Joint Power Control School, Army Command and General Staff College.
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