As the recipient of a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star following service in Vietnam, Troy Steed of Attala County has proof that he is numbered among those being recognized for service to our country.
Suffering a wound while serving in the Vietnam War did not deter him from further service to his country through law enforcement in Attala County.
Steed is a veteran of service to Attala as a former member of the Kosciusko Police Department and a four-term sheriff. He follows a long list of family members serving in law enforcement.
Steed began his military service in July 1968, fulfilling his desire “to do my part” in defending the country which was in the midst of fighting in Vietnam.
Upon enlistment he was sent to Fort Polk, La., for training, came home for Christmas and in January he received orders for deployment to Vietnam. He entered the war that pitted the communist regime of north Vietnam and its southern allies known as the Viet Cong, against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States.
Steed said he was first assignment was operating a bulldozer clearing a battlefield in the jungle. He also had special infantry training to prepare him for the “hot” area where the fighting was in progress and where he was headed.
“We were in heavy combat for three days in snappy little fire and found some bunkers full of weapons, ammunition, clothing, and black market items,” he said. While trying to locate additional bunkers, two mines exploded and Steed was hit by shrapnel in his right arm.
“I’m blessed to be alive,” Steed said. Four of his buddies were killed and several were wounded in the skirmish.
Steed was airlifted to a hospital for initial treatment, then transferred to Saigon. More treatment to his badly injured arm came in Yokahama, Japan with a total of four surgeries. “It is a blessing I did not lose my arm,” he said.
Steed returned home after being medically retired but reported periodically to Ft. Polk, La., for evaluation. He was permanently discharged after three years.
After some short-term jobs, Steed said he continued his desire to serve and carry on a family tradition in law enforcement. He applied for a job at the Kosciusko Police Department and was hired that night at a meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. He remained with the KPD for 15 years before becoming sheriff, a position he held four terms. Health issues from the war injury forced him to leave the office before his last term expired.
His father, Louie Steed, spent 29 years as a game warden, his grandfather and several uncles held law enforcement positions.
Sons of Steed and his wife Dorothy are following the family tradition. Matt Steed is a deputy sheriff and serves as a resource officer with the Attala County School System; Mark Steed is an investigator with the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Dwayne Steed is a deputy sheriff.
