SFC Joseph Steinberg

U.S. Army SFC Joseph David Steinberg

REPATRIATION of the late SFC Joseph David Steinberg with full military honors will be at 11:00 AM, Thursday, August 1, 2013, at Golden Gate National Cemetery, 1300 Sneath Lane, San Bruno, California.

Born: September 7, 1919, San Francisco, CA.
Died: April 30, 1951, POW at Camp Bean, North Korea.

SFC Joseph Steinberg was a member of Battery C, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division.
He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy near Hoengsong, South Korea, on February 13, 1951.

For his leadership and valor, SFC Steinberg was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

In WWII, Joseph served in New Guinea and the Philippines under General Douglas MacArthur. He was drafted into the peace time Army before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. In 1946, he was assigned to the Occupation Forces in Japan, enjoying that duty as he was able to play baseball, a game he loved. In a letter written to his sister, Dorothy, in March 1949, he stated, "At least after I put my time in I'll have a pension every month and I don't have to worry about food and where to sleep." This was coming from a young man that had been raised during the Great Depression and up to that point had only been able to find employment at the California Conservation Corps. While in Japan, the Korean War broke out. His unit was the first to be deployed.

After being missing for 62 years, thanks to the diligence of the United States Army and modern DNA technology, our Uncle Joseph Steinberg's remains have been identified. He is coming home to be buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California, with an honored tribute to his service. Burial will be with his late brother Charles Francis Steinberg. Buried close by are his brothers Jack Willard Steinberg and William Theodore Riley (nee Steinberg; Riley, his stepfather's name), all WWII veterans. Home, and all together once again.