AMEC James Leo(n) Steel USN/Ret. was born in Modesto California on Nov. 16, 1952, and was raised in Fallon, Nevada where his parents owned a small dairy farm.

Leo did well in school and excelled in field and track. He was able to run a mile in 4:43. He joined the Navy right out of High School, and was trained to be an aircraft mechanic, he also applied for and was trained as an Aircrewman, and assigned to Sea-Air Rescue work.

Leo fought in Vietnam and recieved the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for the successful rescue of 3 downed American airmen, During this rescue the Helo that Leo was on, took some machine gun hits. the pilot was killed and the co-pilot was wounded. Petty Officer 3rd. class Steel, climbed into the pilots seat and helped the co-pilot fly back to there base thus not only saving their own lives but 3 other pilots as well. Leo was given the Silver star for this action but turned it down, and had to take a Bronze Star on the DIRECT orders of Real Admiral O'berg.

Leo had a good Navy career, and served with the sixth fleet in Desert Storm. He was shot down while on a rescue and was the sole survivor of his Helo.

Leo was badly injured in the accident, he had 29 broken bones, his hip and pelvis was crushed and he had massive internal injuries. He was in a coma for 6 months and went through 21 major operations in a 2 year period. He was medically discharged from the Navy and put on total Disablity because of the loss of both legs and partial use of his left arm. the accident also left Leo with diabetes and blind in the left eye.

Leo never let his injuries slow him down. He became a scoutmaster, was active in his church (he was a Priest), married twice while injured. He was also a wonderful father, and got almost all of his family to join the Emperor's Hammer Elite Strike Wing, where he worked up through the ranks, starting out as a flight member of Lambda squadron, the the flight leader of Lambda-3, then Squadron Commander of Phi squadron, which was replaced by Iota Squadron, then the Executive Officer of the Hammer.

He also joined the Imperial Assault Wing, Coruscant Garrison, and was helping the IAW, CG to get started, becoming a Flight Leader in that organization.

Leo's Military awards consisted for Campaign ribbons for Vietnam, Grenada, and Desert Storm. He also recieved the Purple Heart--twice, 2-Persidential Unit Citations, Meteroious Unit citation, Bronze Star, and Navy Airman's Medal. He also recieved the Navy Pistol Expert Medal as well as the Navy's Marksman Medal. The only medal that Leo didn't get in 21 years of service was the Good Conduct Medal, he was a bit of a "Renegade", hence his Hammer Nickname. He never could seem to stay out of trouble.

He even cussed an Admiral one time, and then ended up on the Admiral's staff as his Driver. The admiral liked Leo because he was not afraid to say what was on his mind.

Pappy is survived by his wife LaShelle, daughters--Lacey and Sabrina, and step-daughters, Brandy, Laurra, Lisa, and Diana and grandson-Stephen.

He was married to Roxanna, who was incidently, the first woman and the first Medal of Honor winner in the emperor's Hammer. She died of cancer, and Leo married her sister--LaShelle (Shelly).

Thanks one and all for letting me remember Leo (My Brother-In-Law) to you. 

FL\GN Terran\Tau-2\INT Har 

P.S. He will be sorely missed, but he died as he lived, loving his family and the 2 Tie clubs he belonged to. Leo was a fighter to the End.