Steve served 27 years in the United States Military. During his Air Force career, he flew 13 different air craft types and decorated for combat service in WW II and Vietnam-Following WW II, he was on inactive reserve status until Sept. 1950, where he returned to active duty as a Captain. He flew T-33's and F-86's at Williams A.FJB. Arizona. In Sept. of 1954 he was assigned to Clark A.B. Philippine Islands, promoted to Major and became Squadron Commander of the 44th T.F.S. flying F-86's again. The Squadron was relocated to Kadena A.B. Okinawa, still under his command. In early 1956, he was assigned to Williams A.F.B. AZ. There he was Squadron Commander of the 3529th CCTS, 3528thCCTS, and 4533rd CCTS still flying the F-86. From April 1960 to March 1962, Steve was stationed at Williamtown R.A.A.F. New South Wales, Australia. While in Australia, as an exchange officer, he flew the "Aussie" version of the Sabre in No. 75 (F) Squadron. His duties also included air show performances as the "solo" aerobatic act in the Australia's precision flight team the "Black Diamonds”, upon returning to the U.S.A., he was again the Squadron Commander of the 4514th CCTS at Luke A.F.B. Arizona, flying the F-100. After a tour in Vietnam flying the A-l as an "advisor" to the South Vietnamese Air Force, completing that tour he returned to Luke A.F.B. and on October 31, 1966, he retired as Colonel