Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    86th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    79th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 6, 1943

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 24 (May 1, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Henry Patterson Steele (ASN: 0-374743), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 86th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the Mediterranean Theater on 6 October 1943. First Lieutenant Steele’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.