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Manfred Steinfeld
| Manfred Steinfeld | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1924 |
| Died | 2019 |
| Nativity | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| ASN | 36737899 |
| Rank | 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.
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.
Research notes
- OTC; Also PG Class 15 OB
- About Face
- OB16;45
Gallery
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)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2019-07-09 (1 post)
- The Stories essay