Sync brief Stories summary, details, and photos from The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld
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|birth_year=1924
|birth_year=1924
|death_year=2019
|death_year=2019
|nativity=Ge
|nativity=Germany
|religion=J
|religion=Jewish
|overseas=Y
|overseas=Y
|certificate=6646
|certificate=6646
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|class_number=17
|class_number=17
|class_display=17
|class_display=17
|specialty=G-2 / airborne intelligence
|specialty=G-2; airborne intelligence
|division=504th PIR, 82nd Airborne
|division=504th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division
|occupation=Furniture manufacturer; philanthropist
|occupation=Furniture manufacturer; philanthropist
|photo=Enemy I Knew Manfred Steinfeld 1.png
|photo=Enemy I Knew Manfred Steinfeld 1.png
|birth_date=29 April 1924
|rank_final=major
|birth_place=Germany
|story=The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld
}}
}}


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'''Manfred Steinfeld''' (1924&ndash;2019) was a United States Army Private First Class who trained at [[Camp Ritchie]], Maryland, in [[Class 17]]. Kindertransport refugee from Josbach who served in the 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne, including Operation Market Garden.
'''Manfred Steinfeld''' (died 2019) was a Kindertransport refugee from Josbach, Germany, and an airborne intelligence soldier. After Camp Ritchie he served in the G-2 section of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, during Operation Market Garden.
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== Biography ==
== Biography ==
Manfred Steinfeld left Josbach, Germany, on the Kindertransport in 1938 and settled in Chicago. After ASTP and Camp Ritchie he volunteered for the paratroops and joined the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, G-2 Section, 82nd Airborne; his first combat was in Holland during Operation Market Garden. After the war he cofounded Shelby Williams Furniture and became a noted philanthropist. See the [[The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld|full story]].
Manfred Steinfeld was raised in Josbach, Germany, in a Jewish family living under the escalating pressure of Nazi persecution. In 1938 he escaped on a Kindertransport, leaving his home and family while still young. He eventually reached the United States and settled in Chicago.
 
After entering the Army, Steinfeld participated in the Army Specialized Training Program before being sent to Camp Ritchie. There his German language, education, and direct knowledge of the country were adapted to military intelligence. He learned to assess enemy units and documents and to report information for operational headquarters.
 
Steinfeld volunteered for airborne service and joined the G-2 intelligence section of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. His first combat came in the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden. As an intelligence soldier in an airborne regiment, he supported a force operating rapidly and often under difficult battlefield conditions.
 
After the war Steinfeld returned to Chicago and entered the furniture business. He helped build Shelby Williams Furniture into a successful manufacturer, turning his energy from wartime service to industrial and commercial leadership.
 
Steinfeld also became known for philanthropy, supporting educational, civic, and charitable causes. His postwar record combined entrepreneurship with a commitment to the community that had received him as a refugee. He died in 2019.
 
Manfred graduated with the 17th class at Camp Ritchie, as did Richard Schifter who was one of the men featured in the documentary film “The Ritchie Boys”. He became a naturalized citizen.
 
In March 1943, Steinfeld entered United States Army, is sent to Camp Roberts, California for basic infantry training and then later the Army Specialized Training Program at the City College of New York.


== Research notes ==
== Research notes ==
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* About Face
* About Face
* OB16;45
* OB16;45
== Gallery ==
[[File:Enemy I Knew Manfred Steinfeld 1.png|thumb|Enemy I Knew Manfred Steinfeld 1.png]]


== Technical record ==
== Technical record ==
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== Timeline ==
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* 23 March 1923 — Basic training with 79th Infantry Training Battalion.
* Born 29 April 1924 in Germany (Jewish).
* 8 May 1944 — Graduated with Class 17 as German linguist.
* 14 June 1944 — Promoted to S/Sgt.
* January 1944 — Steinfeld goes to London to military intelligence headquarters for the U.S. Army.
* Became naturalized citizen.
* Entered Class 17 (German).
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== Sources ==
== Sources ==
* Camp Ritchie class roster (classes 1–31), merged research file
* Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records
* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2019-07-09 (1 post)
* [[The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld|The Stories essay]]
* [[The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld|The Stories essay]]
* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Manfred Steinfeld for Camp Ritchie'' (private research document; 8 source documents reviewed)
* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Steinfeld, Manfred for Camp Ritchie'' (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 8 source files: MANFRED  STEINFELD (2021).docx, MANFRED  STEINFELD - Timeline.doc, MANFRED STEINFELD (2021).docx, MANFRED STEINFELD - WW2.docx, MANFRED STEINFELD - life story.docx, MANFRED STEINFELD - timeline.doc, MANFRED STEINFELD.doc, MANFRED STEINFELD.docx)