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

From Ritchie Boys Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Sync brief Stories summary, details, and photos from The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld
Sync brief Stories summary, details, and photos from The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld
Line 22: Line 22:


<div class="soldier-lead">
<div class="soldier-lead">
'''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.
</div>
</div>


== 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.
 
See the [[The Stories/The Enemy I Knew/Manfred Steinfeld|full story]].


== Research notes ==
== Research notes ==

Revision as of 19:24, 23 August 2026

Manfred Steinfeld
Manfred Steinfeld
Personal details
Born1924
Died2019
NativityGermany
ReligionJewish
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
ASN36737899
RankPrivate First Class
Camp RitchieClass 17 (11 March – 8 May 1944)
Section5C
SpecialtyG-2 / airborne intelligence
Unit / division504th Pir, 82nd Airborne
Research notes on this page are compiled from the source file and later edits. They may be unverified, incomplete, or incorrect, and should not be treated as established fact. Please correct the article or add sources on the talk page. For class-roster terms, see About the data.
Sources & confidence: Treat Research notes as leads, not settled fact. Prefer NARA, the class roster, newspapers, Find a Grave, or published histories for contested claims. Mark unsourced claims with {{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.

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.

See the full story.

Research notes

  • OTC; Also PG Class 15 OB
  • About Face
  • OB16;45

Gallery

Enemy I Knew Manfred Steinfeld 1.png

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

Sources

  • Camp Ritchie class roster (classes 1–31), merged research file
  • NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
  • 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
  • The Stories essay