Robert Steele, the oldest of 5 children, grew up in northern Dickinson County Kansas. He attended Chapman High School, leaving for the service with only 1 semester left before graduation. Steele enlisted into the Army engineers unit at Fort Riley in July of 1939 and was called to the 9th engineers at age 18. He received training at Fort Belvoir, VA for water purification training. Later he entered officers' training. Next Steele went to Camp Hood, TX and was an instructor in a tank destroyer school. From there he left for overseas, February of 1940. He served in England, France, Belgium and Germany under General George Patton. He married Mary McLain in December of 1942. Steele had 1 brother, Bud, who was also in the service. Courtesy of the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Museum.