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<em>Marion Archibald ‘Jackson’ Steele </em>was born in Lynchburg, VA, the son of Brenda Elizabeth Gantt and Marion Archibald Steele. As the newest member of a military academy family, Jackson naturally kept military leadership in his sights. The only question was whether he would become a third-generation cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, where his father and 11 other relatives graduated, or become the first one to break the family VMI Rat Line tradition and head north to West Point. Jackson ultimately accepted an appointment to USMA from Representative George ‘Buddy’ Darden III of the 7th District of Georgia.</p>
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Early on, Jackson’s charisma and leadership skills were evident. He was a multi-sport athlete and letterman at Joseph Wheeler High School, a large AAAA public high school in Marietta, GA. Jackson excelled in and out of the classroom, getting a near-perfect score on his college entrance exam, and was also co-captain his senior year for the regional champion football team.</p>
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To say Jackson was destined for greatness is an understatement. From the moment he entered Beast Barracks on June 29, 1988, he excelled in every aspect of cadet life. Jackson exuded purpose and a determination to succeed, demonstrating this on bivouac at Lake Fredrick toward the end of Beast Barracks. When caught by Beast cadre while attempting to steal a rival company’s rock and rallying point, he proudly proclaimed he was “on a mission from God!” In one of his first opportunities to be chosen for a leadership position, Jackson became the E-2 company commander during Plebe Parent Week. Leadership and academics weren’t the only reasons Jackson was popular with his classmates, especially during plebe year: the legendary boodle boxes sent from home made a difficult year pass more quickly.</p>
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Jackson’s time as a cadet was synonymous with success. He was awarded the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence and Achievement and the Distinguished Cadet Award as top five percent of the class rank. He was Company B-4 first sergeant first semester of cow year and company commander first semester of firstie year, and he received the award for being the top civil engineering student for the Class of ’92. He also attended Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA during his cow summer and Air Assault School at Camp Gruber, OK during his firstie summer. Jackson’s drive, determination, and leadership prowess were unparalleled.</p>
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Jackson was an active member of West Point’s Civil and Military Engineering Club, serving as its vice president his yearling, cow, and firstie years. He was also involved in the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) his cow and firstie year. If he wasn’t participating in his engineering clubs during his free time or studying to maintain his ranking as the Class of 1992’s top civil engineering cadet, you would find Jackson outdoors pursuing his passion for hunting and fishing.</p>
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Upon graduation on May 30, 1992, Jackson was assigned to the Corps of Engineers and was awarded the Distinguished Honor Graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Immediately afterwards, he attended Ranger Class 3-93 at Fort Benning and graduated without being recycled. Jackson’s first duty assignment was platoon leader for Charlie Company, 307th Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. He deployed to Panama in October 1993 to complete the Jungle Warfare Course. When finished, he earned his Senior Parachutist Badge through the Jumpmaster Course. As an exceptional officer, Jackson was personally selected by the battalion commander to serve as the heavy equipment platoon leader, a coveted and prestigious position reserved for the best lieutenant in the battalion. He was also involved in Operation Restore Democracy in September 1994. His team was airborne in preparation for a combat invasion of Haiti when diplomacy succeeded and the operation was aborted. Jackson was a role model for his fellow officers, always going the extra mile to build the team. He personally trained a team of soldiers from various units within the division to complete the Marine Corps Marathon.</p>
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After arriving at Fort Bragg in the summer of 1993, Jackson met his wife, Bonnie May. They became inseparable and best friends immediately. They were married in December 1995 shortly after Jackson was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer of the muscles, bones, and connective tissues. He was transferred to a medical hold company at Fort Gordon, GA. Not to be limited by cancer, Jackson took initiative and volunteered his civil engineering education with the Corps of Engineers office at Fort Gordon. While undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, Jackson provided quality control evaluations of ongoing military construction projects within the area. A soldier to his core, Jackson gave a warrior’s fight to this terrible disease but ultimately succumbed to its effects on October 26, 1996.</p>
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Jackson was a genuine and ever-reliable friend, classmate, husband, and great American. Paul Landt, his close friend, fellow 1988 Joseph Wheeler High School classmate, and fellow 1992 West Point classmate, said it best when remembering Jackson: “Certainly a testament to that young man to create such a stir so many years later. Truly one of a kind! We should all strive to have that significant an impact on those around us. He’s missed every day!”</p>
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Jackson made an impact on all who knew him, evidenced by the 13 children who bear his name. He is missed but never forgotten by those who love him still.</p>