2006 Marine of the Year - 3rd Marine Division
Sergeant James D. Steuter was born in West Point, Nebraska on 14 November 1985. He graduated from West Point Central Catholic High School in June 2004 and then joined the Marine Corps attending recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. After graduation from Recruit Training in October 2004, he reported to the School of the Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California, where he was trained as an 0331 Machine Gunner. Upon completion of his training, he received orders to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In November 2004, Sergeant Steuter was assigned to Weapons Platoon, Company E, where he has served two combat tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, from June 2005 until January 2006, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Haditha, Iraq, from September 2006 until April 2007. After completing his deployment to Afghanistan, Sergeant Steuter attended and graduated from the Infantry Squad Leader’s Course at Camp Pendleton. His decorations include: the Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon x 2. He currently is pending a second Combat Action Ribbon and a Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V” for actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
