Martin R . Steele Martin R . Steele is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general . He served in combat during the Vietnam War and in Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm . He served for 35 years in the Marine Corps before retiring in 1999 . He then became the President and CEO of the Intrepid Sea , Air & Space Museum in New York City . Early years and education . Martin R . Steele was born in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . He grew up in Fayetteville , Arkansas . He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas ( 1974 ) and Master of Arts degrees from Central Michigan University ( 1981 ) , Salve Regina College ( 1985 ) and the Naval War College ( 1985 ) . His military education includes the Armor Officer Advanced Course , the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Naval War College . Military career . Steele enlisted in the U . S . Marine Corps in January 1965 . His initial tour of duty was with the 1st Tank Battalion , 1st Marine Division , Camp Pendleton , California , during which he deployed to the Republic of Vietnam . Subsequently assigned as a corporal to Officer Candidates School , he was commissioned a second lieutenant in January 1967 . A tour of duty as a platoon commander , executive officer , and tank company commander in the 2nd Tank Battalion was followed by duty aboard the in Southeast Asia and an assignment as Officer - in - Charge of Sea School in Portsmouth , Virginia . In 1973 , he returned to Camp Pendleton and served as a tank company commander , battalion S - 3 , and Aide - de - Camp to the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division . An overseas assignment as an assault amphibian vehicle company commander and battalion S - 3 was followed by duty as the Marine Corps Liaison Officer to the project Manager M - 60 / M - 1 Tank programs at the U . S . Army Tank - Automotive command in Warren , MI . He also served at Headquarters Marine Corps as the Tank Acquisition Project Officer . In August 1985 , Steele returned to the 1st Marine Division , where he served initially as the Commanding Officer , 1st Light Armored Vehicle Battalion until June 1986 , and then as the Commanding Officer , 1st Tank Battalion until June 1988 . The following month , he transferred overseas where he was assigned as Operations Officer , C / J / G - 3 , Combined Forces Command , Republic of Korea . Upon his return from overseas in August 1990 , he assumed the duties as the Deputy Director , Marine Air - Ground Task Force Warfighting Center , MCCDC Quantico . During Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm , Steele served as G - 3 , MARCENT ( FWD ) aboard the . In July 1992 , he was assigned duty as the Director , Warfighting Development Integration Division at Quantico . While serving in this capacity , he was selected in March 1993 for promotion to brigadier general ; and was promoted on May 20 , 1993 , and was assigned duty as Commanding General , Marine Corps Base Quantico on June 15 , 1993 . Steele next served as the Director for Strategic Planning and Policy , J - 5 , U . S . Forces Pacific at Camp H . M . Smith , Hawaii from 1995 to 1997 . While serving in this capacity , he was selected in December 1996 for promotion to lieutenant general . His final assignment was as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans , Policies and Operations at Headquarters Marine Corps . Steele retired from the Marine Corps in August 1999 after 35 years of service . Post - Marine Corps . Steele became the President and CEO of the Intrepid Sea , Air & Space Museum in June 1999 , leading the organization until Summer 2002 . He continues to serve the museum as a trustee emeritus . Awards and decorations . LtGen Martin Steele has been awarded the following :