Soft launch: Soldier biographies and research notes vary in completeness. Prefer class-roster, NARA, newspapers, and other cited sources for contested facts — treat Research notes as leads, not settled history. Anyone can correct a page; contact us with questions.
Steinfeld, Manfred (36737899): Difference between revisions
Sync brief Stories summary, details, and photos from The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld |
Add audited Dan Gross timeline enrichment |
||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
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. | 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. 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. See the [[The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld|full story]]. 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”. In July 1938 his mother registered him with the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) and he departed Germany for the US with twelve other children. On 18 February 1944 he arrived at Camp Ritchie. On 8 May 1944 he graduated with Class 17 as German linguist. On 14 June 1944 he was promoted to S/Sgt. On 23 June 1944 he completed post-graduate Class 15 (German Order of Battle). On 25 June 1944 he was released by Camp Ritchie. He became a naturalized citizen. | ||
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. | |||
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. | |||
See the [[The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld|full story]]. | |||
== Research notes == | == Research notes == | ||
| Line 64: | Line 54: | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline"> | <div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline"> | ||
<div class="soldier-timeline-body"> | <div class="soldier-timeline-body"> | ||
* 23 March 1923 Basic training with 79th Infantry Training Battalion. | * 23 March 1923 — Basic training with 79th Infantry Training Battalion. | ||
* Born 29 April 1924. | * Born 29 April 1924. | ||
* 14 June 1944 — Promoted to S/Sgt. | * 14 June 1944 — Promoted to S/Sgt. | ||
| Line 71: | Line 61: | ||
* 25 June 1944 — Released by Camp Ritchie. | * 25 June 1944 — Released by Camp Ritchie. | ||
* 8 May 1944 — Graduated with Class 17 as German linguist. | * 8 May 1944 — Graduated with Class 17 as German linguist. | ||
* January 1944 Steinfeld goes to London to military intelligence headquarters for the U.S. Army | * January 1944 — Steinfeld goes to London to military intelligence headquarters for the U.S. Army. | ||
* Became naturalized citizen. | * Became naturalized citizen. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 03:23, 1 September 2026
| Manfred Steinfeld | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 April 1924 |
| Died | 2019 |
| Nativity | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| ASN | 36737899 |
| Rank | Major |
| Rank at Ritchie | Private First Class |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 17 (11 March – 8 May 1944) |
| Section | 5C |
| Specialty | G-2; airborne intelligence |
| Unit / division | 504th Pir, 82nd Airborne Division |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
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.
Biography
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. 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. See the full story. 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”. In July 1938 his mother registered him with the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) and he departed Germany for the US with twelve other children. On 18 February 1944 he arrived at Camp Ritchie. On 8 May 1944 he graduated with Class 17 as German linguist. On 14 June 1944 he was promoted to S/Sgt. On 23 June 1944 he completed post-graduate Class 15 (German Order of Battle). On 25 June 1944 he was released by Camp Ritchie. He became a naturalized citizen.
Research notes
- OTC; Also PG Class 15 OB
- About Face
- OB16;45
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Approx Age at Death | 95 |
| Class_ASN | 36737899 |
| Class_Name | STEINFELD, Manfred |
| match_method | asn_exact_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
Timeline
- 23 March 1923 — Basic training with 79th Infantry Training Battalion.
- Born 29 April 1924.
- 14 June 1944 — Promoted to S/Sgt.
- 18 February 1944 — Arrived at Camp Ritchie.
- 23 June 1944 — Completed post-graduate Class 15 (German Order of Battle).
- 25 June 1944 — Released by Camp Ritchie.
- 8 May 1944 — Graduated with Class 17 as German linguist.
- January 1944 — Steinfeld goes to London to military intelligence headquarters for the U.S. Army.
- Became naturalized citizen.
Sources
- 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)
- 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 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)