North Russian Relief Force Victoria Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award on October 21, 1919 for his actions as a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 18 August 1919 at Kronstadt, Russia, Lieutenant Steele was second-in-command of Coastal Motor Boat 88. Steele's boat became illuminated by an enemy searchlight. Very heavy machine gun fire followed immediately, the Captain being killed and the boat thrown off course. A British aircraft saw the problem, dived on the searchlight and put it out with gunfire. Lieutenant Steele took the wheel and steadied the boat, lifting the dead officer away from the steering and firing position, and successfully torpedoed the battleship Andrei Pervozvanny at 100 yards range. He then manoeuvred the CMB in a very confined space to get a clear shot at the other battleship Petropavlovsk before making for the safety of the bay." He later achieved the naval rank of captain and served in World War II. He died at the age of 89.
North Russian Relief Force Victoria Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award on October 21, 1919 for his actions as a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 18 August 1919 at Kronstadt, Russia, Lieutenant Steele was second-in-command of Coastal Motor Boat 88. Steele's boat became illuminated by an enemy searchlight. Very heavy machine gun fire followed immediately, the Captain being killed and the boat thrown off course. A British aircraft saw the problem, dived on the searchlight and put it out with gunfire. Lieutenant Steele took the wheel and steadied the boat, lifting the dead officer away from the steering and firing position, and successfully torpedoed the battleship Andrei Pervozvanny at 100 yards range. He then manoeuvred the CMB in a very confined space to get a clear shot at the other battleship Petropavlovsk before making for the safety of the bay." He later achieved the naval rank of captain and served in World War II. He died at the age of 89.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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