Steele, George Washington, Jr.
Captain, U.S. Navy
Navy Cross. Navy Department, November 11, 1920: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain George W. Steel, U.S. Navy ......: For distinguished service in the line of his profession as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Henderson, engaged in the important, exacting, and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines. For the President: Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy.
Captain Steele was awarded the Silver Medal of the Red Cross Society of Italy, April 21, 1910, for services rendered in connection with the work for the suffers of the Messina earthquake, 1908. He was awarded the French Legion of Honor, Officer, by Presidential Decree of May 7, 1931, in recognition of his services as naval attache, American Embassy, at Paris, 1928 - 1931.
Letter of Commendation. Navy Department, Washington, September 5, 1918: The Department quotes from the report of a Board of Investigation convened at the Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA, July 10, 1918, to inquire into the fire which occurred on board the U.S.S. Henderson, July 2, 1918, as follows: "That good discipline prevailed on board throughout, and that all possible efforts were made to preserve the ship and personnel; all in a thoroughly seamanlike and officer like manner.
"That, in general, the officers and men concerned are worthy of commendation for the service rendered in saving the ship, and in the safe and successful transfer at sea of a large number of men, from the Henderson to other ships, such transfers taking place at night."
The Department hereby accordingly very highly commends you for the efficiency of the organization on board the U.S.S. Henderson under your command, which enabled you to successfully cope with a very difficult situation. It is hoped that it will be your endeavor to maintain such a high standard of efficiency in the future, upon any vessel under your command. A copy of this letter will be filed with your official efficiency record. Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy.
Commendation. War Department, Washington, D.C., July 31, 1919. Captain G.W. Steele ......(through the Secretary of the Navy): The joint operations of the Army and Navy in connection with our overseas force is rapidly drawing to a close, Before the Navy forces engaged in the Army Transport Service are demobilized, I desire to extend to you and the officers and men under your command, the thanks and appreciation of the War Department for the splendid service you have rendered in connection with the transportation overseas of the American Forces.
I know of no one thing that stands out more prominently than the close cooperation that has existed between the services during the past emergency and I am sure it is equally gratifying to you to know that we are near the end of successful operation of transporting overseas and returning to the American shores, a force of over two million men. Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War.
Commendation. Flagship of Cruiser and Transport Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, August 15, 1918: I have written letters of commendation to the officers and men whom you recommended for conspicuous service during the fire which occurred in the Henderson while carrying troops during the early part of July.
To you, as Commanding Officer of the ship during that emergency, I take great pleasure in expressing my admiration for the discipline exhibited by all on board and in complimenting you upon the manner in which you so successfully handled the Henderson.
It is gratifying to know that under the trying and dangerous circumstances which you encountered, there was no loss of life. Albert Gleaves, Commander, Cruiser and Transport Force.
Record. Born June 19, 1879, Marion; son of George Washington and Marietta Elizabeth (Swayzee) Steele. Graduate, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, 1900. Ensign, July 1, 1902; lieutenant junior grade and lieutenant, July 1, 1905; lieutenant commander, July 1, 1912; commander, May 23, 1917; captain (temporary), September 21, 1918; captain (permanent), December 31, 1921. Assigned at outbreak of the World War as aide to British vice admiral on board H.M.S. Leviathan, and in Washington; transferred, May 24, 1917, to Navy convoy service, commanding U.S.S. Henderson; in command of the U.S.S. Henderson in the first convoy to France; made fourteen trips (seven round trips) with her; on the fifteenth trip, five hundred miles out, fire of spontaneous origin was discovered in the hold; after fighting the fire all day, the troops were transferred to other vessels and the ship returned to port. Still in service as naval attache at the American Embassy, Paris, France.
Commanded the airship Los Angeles. Sent to Germany to observe the transfer of the airship to the United States in 1924, made the transatlantic voyage, and commanded the airship thereafter until May, 1926.
Married Lily Helen (Heleker) DuPuy. Paris, France.