During World War II, the 493rd Bombardment group of the U.S. Army Air Force activated on November 1, 1943 and went to England in 1944. They were stationed at Debach in Suffolk, England. They flew their first mission on D-Day on June 6, 1944 from England to the Normandy coast. They flew a total of 157 strategic bombing missions using “flying fortress” B-17 aircraft. In May of 1945, they flew six missions dropping food relief to Europe. They inactivated on August 28, 1945.

Green County pilot Charles G. Steindorf served with the 861st Bomb Squadron, 493rd Bombardment Group, of the 8th Air Force of the U.S. Army Air Force.

Charles Gordon Steindorf was born on August 26, 1923 in Albany in Green County to Emil and Doris (Gillette) Steindorf.

From the 1930 U.S. Census, the Steindorf family lived in Albany in Green County. The family included father Emil, mother Doris, and children Joyce, Gordon, and Jean. Father Emil was a machinist in a hardware company.

From 1940 U.S. Census, the family lived in the same house. All the children remained in the home with the addition of son Roger. Father Emil had the same job, and son Gordon (16) worked as a janitor in the high school for paid wages.

On June 30, 1942 Charles Gordon Steindorf registered for the WWII Draft. He was 18, and his employer was Wilbur Dehmer in Albany.

On December 3, 1942, Steindorf enlisted in Madison for service in WWII. He had one year of college and enlisted in the Air Corps Reserves as a private.

From the December 29, 1944 The Capital Times notice “Is Missing,” the notice from Albany stated “Second Lieut. Charles Gordon Steindorf, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Steindorf, Albany, pilot of a B-17 Fortress, has been missing in action over Germany since Nov. 25, according to the war department...”

From the June 1, 1945 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Steindorf, Albany, Killed in Action,” the article stated “Lieut. Charles Gordon Steindorf, 21, who was reported missing in action Nov. 25, 1944, has been killed in action, the war department Thursday informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Steindorf, Albany...”

From the December 27, 1948 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Lieut. Steindorf’s Body is Being Returned to Albany,” the article stated “Mr. and Mrs. Emil Steindorf received notice last week that the body of their son, Second Lieut. Charles Gordon Steindorf, is being returned to the United States from Europe aboard the army transport Barney Kirschbaum…”

From the February 9, 1949 Janesville Daily Gazette obituary, the article stated “Last rites for Second Lt. Charles Gordon Steindorf were held … The national colors and the American Legion flag stood guard at the head and foot of the flag-draped casket of Albany’s only pilot and the only serviceman from here who paid the supreme price for his country….

Lt. Steindorf, son of Emil and Doris Gillette Steindorf, was born in Albany Aug. 26, 1923. He was graduated from the Albany high school in 1941 and attended the school of pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, for two years. He enlisted in the air corps in November, 1942, and began active services at Sheppard field, Texas, Feb. 23, 1943. He was commissioned as second lieutenant in April, 1944, at La Junte (sic: Junta), Colo. He was stationed at Hobbs, N. M., before he was sent overseas in the fall of 1944. When he met his death on Nov. 25, 1944, Lt. Steindorf was co-pilot in a B-17 on his first air raid mission over Germany...

On June 17, 1944, Lt. Steindorf and Miss Laura Shelby of Evansville, were married. She is now Mrs. Donald Graham, Evansville.

Survivors are his parents; a son, Gordon Randall Steindorf, of Evansville, one brother, Roger, at home; two sisters, Mrs. Gordon Maurmann (sic: Mauerman), and Mrs. Robert Burdick, Albany; his maternal grandfather, E. L. Gillette, Albany.”

From the April 1, 1949 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Albany Legion Post Votes to Change Name,” the article stated “The Albany Legion post this week voted to change the name of the organization from McDermott post to McDermott-Steindorf post No. 144, in memory of Lieut. Charles Gordon Steindorf of World War II. The post was previously named for Thomas McDermott who died in World War I.”

Steindorf was repatriated and reburied in Hillcrest Cemetery in Albany. Steindorf is listed on the National Archives WWII Honor Roll for Green County.

Thank you, Second Lieutenant Charles Gordon Steindorf, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for our country. We honor you and remember you.