Martin "Marty" R. Steele was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 15, 1946, and grew up in Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas.
He earned a B.A. in history from the University of Arkansas. Steele later earned master's degrees in public administration, international relations, and international security affairs.
Steele enlisted as a Marine in 1965. During his thirty-five year career, he completed two tours in Vietnam and later served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Steele steadily rose up the military ranks, ultimately becoming a lieutenant general. Among the many honors Steele earned are the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Navy Commendation Medal with gold star; and the Combat Action Ribbon. He served as the president and CEO of Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
#1: Composite image of early photo of Martin "Marty" R. Steele and still frame from Pryor Center video interview
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#2: Marty Steele (right) with his uncle, Bob Steele; Fletcher Street home in Fort Smith, Arkansas, ca. 1953
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: Marty Steele with his sister, Susan Steele; Fort Smith, Arkansas, ca. 1953
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#4: Marty Steele's father, Richard "Dick" Dunlap Steele, in a World War II plane
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#5: Marty Steele's ninth-grade class, St. Joseph's Catholic School, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1960–1961
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#6: Marty Steele (1st row, center) and the St. Joseph's Catholic School football team, Fayetteville, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#7: Marty Steele, Fayetteville High School yearbook, The Amethyst, 1962
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#8: Marty Steele (far right), vice president, with the Fayetteville High School junior-class officers, ca. 1963
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#9: Marty Steele, number 12 (1st row, left), Fayetteville High School football team, 1962
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#10: Marty Steele, Fayetteville High School yearbook, The Amethyst, 1963
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#11: Marty Steele (right), Key Club vice president, with fellow officers; Fayetteville High School yearbook, The Amethyst, 1963
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#12: Marty Steele's mentor, Coach Donathon (right); Fayetteville High School yearbook, The Amethyst, 1963
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#13: Inscription from Coach Donathon to Marty Steele; Fayetteville High School yearbook, The Amethyst, 1963
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#14: Marty Steele (5th row from top, 11th from left) with the United States Marine Corps, Company N, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment; Camp Pendleton, California, April 29, 1965
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#15: Marty Steele and Cindy Bayliss Steele at their wedding, with Chaplain John Joseph O'Connor presiding; Quantico, Virginia, 1967
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#16: Marty and Cindy Steele on their wedding day, 1967
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#17: Marty and Cindy Steele on their wedding day, 1967
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#18: Cynthia Brooke Bayliss Steele kissing her father on her wedding day, 1967
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#19: Marty Steele, US Marine Corps
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#20: Marty Steele, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#21: Marty and Cindy Steele with their children, Diane and David, early 1970s
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#22: Marty Steele (center), ca. 1976
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#23: Marty and Cindy Steele with their children, David, Diane, and Deborah (seated), ca. 1980s
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#24: The USS Saint Paul
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#25: Marty Steele (right) with his son, David Steele
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#26: Marty Steele (left) with his son, David Steele
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#27: President Bill Clinton administers the oath of office of brigadier general to Colonel Marty Steele in the Oval Office, 1993
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#28: President Bill Clinton and Cindy Steele pin the new rank of brigadier general on Colonel Marty Steele in the Oval Office, 1993
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#29: Major General Marty Steele with Bill Clinton
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#30: Lieutenant General Martin R. Steele
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#31: Lieutenant General Marty Steele (right), Change of Command/Retirement Parade, 1999
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#32: Marty Steele golfing with President Bill Clinton
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#33: Lieutenant General Marty Steele (2nd from right), with aides, 1999
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#34: Marty Steele with family and housekeeper, 1999
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#35: Lieutenant General Marty Steele (left) with General Charles C. Krulak
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#36: Marty and Cindy Steele, US Marine Corps Birthday Ball, 1999
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#37: Marty Steele (right) with his family: (from left) son-in-law, Carlos; granddaughter, Raquel; daughter, Diane; daughter-in-law, Natalie; daughter, Deborah; son, David; wife, Cindy; (in front) granddaughter; grandson, Matthew
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#38: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Martin "Marty" R. Steele at the Pryor Center; Fayetteville, Arkansas, November 13, 2009
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#39: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Martin "Marty" R. Steele at the Pryor Center; Fayetteville, Arkansas, November 13, 2009
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#40: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Martin "Marty" R. Steele at the Pryor Center; Fayetteville, Arkansas, November 13, 2009
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
