The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class David E. Steele (ASN: 15359752), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 1 April 1945, near Vockenrot, Germany. When the platoon in which Private Steele was a driver was ambushed, the cross-fire of two machine guns was concentrated on his jeep. Knowing that the heavy machine gun mounted on his vehicle was badly needed in the fight, he remained at the wheel, clearly silhouetted against a burning building, and maneuvered his jeep into a position from which his gun could be brought to bear on the enemy. In the course of this act, Private Steele was wounded four times. His courage and disregard for his own safety enabled his platoon to make use of its most effective weapon in extricating itself from the ambush.