05/25/2026
Private First Class Florian R. Steinberger was born on January 3, 1925, in Chaska to Joseph and Rosella Steinberger. He was inducted into the United States Army on May 5, 1943, at age 18. Florian received training at the Infantry Replacement Training Center at Camp Wolters, Texas and then served with Company K, 169th Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division. He and the 43rd Infantry Division deployed in December of 1943, sailing to Johnson Atoll in the Pacific, New Caledonia, and then to New Guinea. The division was then deployed to retake the Philippines in early January 1945.
Florian Steinberger was killed in action on January 20, 1945, at the Battle of Luzon. Letters to the family reported that while participating in an attack on the enemy position, Steinberger was struck by shrapnel and killed instantly. He was buried at a United States Armed Forces cemetery near Santa Barbara, Luzon. In 1949, he was reburied at Guardian Angels Catholic Cemetery in Chaska.
Please take a moment today to remember Florian R. Steinberger and all others who have died in service to our country.