John Steel (1921-1998) American, Gouache on Board. Illustration of World War I fighter planes. 

Overall: 9 1/4 X 21 1/4 in. 

Sight: 7 3/4 X 19 3/4 in. 

#3923 . 

John Steel was born in New York City in 1921. He spent many years traveling with his parents in France and Spain as they acted in touring theatrical productions, and was fluent in both French and Spanish by the time they returned to the United States in 1931. Encouraged by his artistic family of accomplished singers and actors, he performed with the Dead End Kids on Broadway in 1935 and sang on a handful of radio shows. He became a skilled hunter and fisherman in his teens as well, and attended a private school in Florida where he routinely caught fish for their Friday night fries. He returned to New York to take courses in drawing at the Art Students League, but when World War II broke out he joined up immediately and served in both the Coast Guard and the Marine Corp. Afterwards he went to the Art Center College in Los Angeles on the GI Bill, where the rough style he had begun to develop sketching during the War was underappreciated. A favorite story he told for years after was one of his early art teachers recommending that he quit art and open a hamburger stand. His first job out of school was working on conceptual projects for Disneyland, particularly the Matterhorn. When the Korean War began he reenlisted, and was part of the infamous “Chosin Few” who withstood an assault by Chinese forces at the Chosin Reservoir for two straight weeks. Returning to the United States, he settled in Santa Rosa, California with his wife Carole and their three children, and drew storyboards for movies like “Ben Hur,” “Spartacus,” and “Mutiny on the Bounty.” His steady work as an artist for Revell Model Car Kits led to him being hired for design and drafting work for Northrop Aviation. He became well known throughout the country for his cover illustrations for Skin Diver Magazine, and taught himself to be an underwater photographer. When the Vietnam War started, he accepted invitational orders to rejoin the Marine Corps as a Combat Photographer and Artist, serving for 5 tours of duty. He produced thousands of photographs and sketches for the Department of Defense, which have been published in books and are on display in several museums in Washington, D.C. His military decorations included the Bronze Star, the Navy Cross, and three Purple Hearts. He was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, Joe Rosenthal Chapter, in San Francisco. He devoted his remaining decades to creating Biblical illustrations and wildlife art, after a diving accident led to a long-lasting illness that limited his breathing and mobility. He died on August 9th, 1998.