Harold J Steinhauser
Reprinted from the Mizpah, a publication
of Salem Church December 1944
On Thursday, December 21st (1944), a host of friends gathered at the church to pay tribute to Private First-Class Harold J. Steinhauser, the first of Salem's Honor Roll to make the Supreme Sacrifice.
Perhaps it would have been more fitting if the service had taken place the night before, for as we soon see the records we find that Wednesday seems to have been a most important day in the life of Harold. He was born on Wednesday, August 19, 1914, and married Adelaide Knopfle on April 25, 1939. Wednesday, October 13, 1943, is the day he was inducted in the Armed Forces of the United States and on Wednesday, November 3rd, we see him reporting for active service at the reception center, Fort Thomas. Just a week later, November 10th he arrived at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, where he was to undergo the rigorous training that is required of an Infantryman.
On Wednesday, April 5, 1944, he set sail for service overseas and after more rigorous training in Scotland and England we find him over in Normandy shortly after "D" Day. Harold was with the Third U S Army under General Patton through all the major engagements in France, including Chorbough, St. Lo, Lo Mans, Falaise and Metz. He was a Heavy Machine-gunner with Expert Infantryman's Rating. At the Battle of Metz he was severely wounded in action on Wednesday, November 15th, and two weeks later on Wednesday, November 29th, 1944, he succumbed to those wounds and departed this life.
It is difficult to find adequate words to express our sympathy to his wife, his parents and other relatives but we commend them to God's gracious care and pray that they may keenly feel his comforting presence during those trying days. Although the parting will be for longer than had been hoped for or expected we may still say "The Lord Watch between Thee and Me when We are Absent One from Another".