Members of the John Marvin Steele Memorial project will gather with City & County officials as well as members of the Steele family for the unveiling of a new sign honoring American Hero Pvt. John Marvin Steele. The City of Metropolis donated two signs which are located at both entrances of the city of Metropolis, Illinois. The unveiling will take place on Friday, November 11 at 12 PM.
The City of Metropolis worked very diligently to commission the sign and get it installed in time to unveil it on this Veteran’s Day. Attendees are asked to park in the rear parking lot at the Super 8 hotel located on 2055 East 5th Street.
The 24” x 36” sign reads: Home of John Marvin Steele, WW2 Paratrooper, “The Longest Day”, June 6, 1944. John Marvin Steele was born and raised in Metropolis, IL.
During WW2, at the age of 29, John volunteered as a paratrooper where he served with the 82nd Airborne Division. In June of 1944, during the battle of Normandy, John was part of the D-Day invasion which resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control.
Due to poor conditions, John landed on the church in Sainte-Mere-Eglise and his parachute was entangled on the bell tower. Wounded and unable to free himself, John was suspended by his parachute cords 20 meters from the ground for over 2 hours. As a last resort, John played dead but was discovered by German soldiers, cut down, and taken prisoner.
Unbelievably, John later escaped by climbing through a window and managed to rejoin his division then proceeded to aid in liberating the city from German occupation. John was later awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
In 1962, the epic war film, “The Longest Day” based on the book of the same name, actor Red Buttons portrayed Pvt. Steele’s combat misadventure.
The John Marvin Steele Statue committee founders, Vicki Mayhall & Karla Ogle, have begun the task of organizing a committee with the plan to erect a life-size statue of John Marvin Steele that will be located on the Massac County Courthouse lawn.
The base of the statue will feature the story of Steele’s Sainte-Mere-Eglise landing as well as a list of names honoring those from Massac County who lost their lives during WW2.
The organizers have been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and interest for the project from Metropolis residents past & present as well as from WW2 historians from other areas. Board Members include Vicki Mayhall, Karla Ogle, Kaley McGinnis, Debbie Hillebrand & Brian Horn.
Fundraisers are currently being planned to help fund the project. Grants are being sought as well. The group has already received submissions from potential sculptors and the committee hopes to start the selection process very soon as well as finalizing the design of the Steele Statue and WW2 Memorial. Updates can be found on the groups Facebook page: John Marvin Steele Memorial Project. Donations are being accepted and may be sent to: John Steele Memorial City National Bank, Attn Debbie Hillebrand, P.O. Box 380, Metropolis, IL 62960.
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