Harold ’Hershy’ Bernard Steinberg, the most decorated pilot in the US Army Air Corps in WW II, passed away May 26, 2013, in Englewood. Rabbi Ben Greenberg and Cantor Joel Lichterman officiated at the May 28 graveside service at Rose Hill Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Mr. Steinberg was born Jan. 4, 1923, in Denver. He attended North High, West High and DU.
After graduating from flying school in Dover, Del., Mr. Steinberg earned his wings and was commissioned a captain at age 21. He served with the US Army Air Corps from 1943-1945.
A P-47 pilot in the 9th Air Force, 386 squadron, 356th fighter group known as Hells Hawks, Mr. Steinberg said the P-47s could carry as much as two 1,000-pound bombs.
In 1944, he crossed the Atlantic with 15,000 soldiers onboard ship and dodged German U-boats during the seven-day voyage to Normandy Beach.
The humble hero flew 87 missions and won the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 17 Oak Leaf clusters.
Out of 36 men in his squadron, only seven survived the war.
Read Rabbi Hillel Goldberg’s memories of Steinberg (View from Denver)
On June 6, 2009, Mr. Steinberg returned to celebrate the 65th anniversary of D-Day with his friend Homer Goodman. The IJN’s Jerry Mellman interviewed the two men for a story that appeared July 2, 2009.
Hershy Steinberg married Rosetta Wedgle on Dec. 31, 1944.
Initially the co-owner of the Tel Aviv Market, he co-owned the East Side Kosher Meat Market, Supervised Products, Inc. (a kosher meat processing plant), and was a butcher at the East Side Kosher Deli.
Mr. Steinberg belonged to the Greatest Generation organization, which works with veterans and arranges trips like his excursion to Normandy.
He retired from business 2010.
Mr. Steinberg is survived by his wife Rosetta Steinberg; sons Cary Steinberg of Denver, Jay (Christine) Steinberg of Chicago and James (Tracie) Steinberg of Denver; grandchildren Jared Steinberg and Jacquie Sene of Denver, Devin Steinberg and Justin Cline of Denver, Alex Steinberg of Denver, Roxy Steinberg of Oklahoma City, Adam Steinberg of Denver, Zoe Steinberg of Chicago and Max Steinberg of Chicago; great-grandchildren Braxton and Omar; and niece Lynn Friedman of Denver, the last surviving member of his side of the family.
His son Stephen Steinberg passed away on Nov. 18, 2012.
Contributions may be made to BMH-BJ or the charity of choice.
Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News
