Steve Steele enlisted in the Air Force on Feb. 3, 1969, and after completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, transferred to Lowry AFB, Denver, Colo. for advanced training as a weapons and munitions specialist.

Subsequent assignments to munition squadrons at Tactical Air Commands included Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nev., Eglin AFB, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., and George AFB, Victorville, Calif., where he worked on F-105 Thunderchiefs.

While at Eglin, he was involved with testing of very early smart bomb technology. Steve was deployed for one year to Ubon, Thailand from May 1971 to May 1972, where he was assigned to an F-4 Phantom squadron with a mission of air support to US troops in Vietnam and constant patrol of the Ho Chi Mien trail to undermine enemy movements.

While serving, Steve aspired to Staff Sgt. (E-5) and completed his four year tour at George AFB, Calif., and received an early-out in December 1972 to complete his Marketing degree from Colorado State University.

Steele earned the Marksman Rifle Ribbon while in service and currently resides in Eden Prairie.