S/Sgt. Gaston Neely Steele 20409680

Co. A 630 Tank Destroyer Battalion

Son of Mr. & Mrs. James Thomas Steele

Sgt. Steele was born March 19th. 1921, in Waxhaw, Union County, North Carolina.

He died of Leukemia (Myelogenic) in Lawson General Hospital, Atlanta, Ga. October 26th. 1943 following a severe and acute illness of eight weeks. A tooth extraction was August 31st. at Camp Rucker (Ala.) Station Hospital afterwhich the diagnosis was made nad he was transfered to Atlanta on September 17th. where members of his family were wih him constantly. The body was brough to the home in Waxhaw where funeral services were conducted by Rev. E.V. Wiley, of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member. Chaplain Teague of Camp Sutton assisted. Interment was in the local cemetery with military honors. Pall bearers were of the Charle McGuirt Post American Legion. Sgt. Steele was first Waxhaw casualty of World War II.

He graduated from Waxhaw High School in 1938. In September 1940 he joined the National Guard of Union County when it was called into service and was sent to Fort Jackson with the 113th Field Artillery Regiment. Later transfering to the Infantry and when a Tank Destroyer Battalion was prganized became commander of an M10, "The Rolling Panther."

He served at Fort Jackson, Camp Hood, and Camp Bowie, Texas, Camp Blanding, Florida, both the Tennessee and Carolina maneuvers and then Camp Rucker, Alabama.

His three brothers also served in the Army. Tobie K. Steele was in the Pacific Theater for three years; Frank H. Steele servied in Hawaii until receiving a medical discharge in 1942; and William Ben Steele served in the European Theater for three years. In addition to his three brothers and parents are three sisters Mrs. Roy (Grace) DeLong, Mrs. James B. (Sarah) Carnes and Mrs. Jimmie Steele (now Mrs. George B. Stearns).

Sgt. Steele’s "Furlough Savings" was presented the Presbyterian Church on the anniversary of his birthday and memorial flowers of red and white carnations were placed on the alter for the Sunday morning services, at this time the pastor Rev. E.V., Wiley gave a most appropriate sermon "Onward Christian Soldier".

Personal representatives of the Tank Destroyer Battalion attending the services were:- S/Sgts- Matthew Young, William Cox and Allen Haigler-a beautiful and most unusual floral design was sent in company colors-

 


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