Michael D. Steele | |
|---|---|
 Col. Michael Steele, commanding 3rd BCT, 101st Airborne during Operation Starlite in Salah Ah Din province, Iraq | |
| Born | September 15, 1960 Statham, Georgia, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1983–2010 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | A Company, 4th Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Operation Just Cause Operation Gothic Serpent Operation Joint Guardian War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal |
Michael Dane Steele (born September 15, 1960) is a retired colonel of the United States Army. He was a company commander in the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment during the Battle of Mogadishu (1993) in Somalia during Operation Gothic Serpent, which resulted in the now famous book and film Black Hawk Down, wherein he was portrayed by actor Jason Isaacs. He briefly appears in the documentary I Am an American Soldier.
Steele 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".[1] Steele denied giving such an order, and was formally reprimanded but not charged.[2]
- ^ AP (July 21, 2006). "Soldiers in Iraq Say They Were Ordered to Kill All Adult Males". Editor & Publisher.
- ^ "Army Says Improper Orders by Colonel Led to 4 Deaths". The New York Times. January 21, 2007.