| Manfred Steinfeld | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4/29/1924 |
| 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.
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.
The timeline research also records March 1943 Steinfeld enters 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. September 15, 1935 The Nuremberg Laws passed depriving Jews of German citizenship rights and led to the exclusion of all remaining Jewish civil servants, artists, university teachers, judges and other public servants. Steinfeld 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”. June 26, 1945 The United Nations Charter is signed in San Francisco. July 1938 Steinfeld's mother registers him with the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) and he departs Germany for the US with twelve other children. 2/18/1944 Arrived at Camp Ritchie. 5/8/1944 Graduated with Class 17 as German linguist. 6/14/1944 Promoted to S/Sgt. 6/23/1944 Completed post-graduate Class 15 (German Order of Battle). 6/25/1944 Released by Camp Ritchie. Became naturalized citizen.
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 |
Timeline
- 3/23/1923 Basic training with 79th Infantry Training Battalion.
- 4/29/1924 Born in Germany (Jewish).
- 7/27/1943 Student in NYC (ASTP) as Pfc.
- 6/14/1944 Promoted to S/Sgt.
- 6/23/1944 Completed post-graduate Class 15 (German Order of Battle).
- Entered Class 17 (German).
- January 1944 Steinfeld goes to London to military intelligence headquarters for the U.S. Army.
- May 1942 Steinfeld graduates from Hyde Park High School. June 1942 Allied victory at Midway marks a turning point in the Pacific War. February 1943 German troops surrender at Stalingrad marking the first major defeat of Hitler's army.
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)