Donald Steffan, "440th Troop Carrier Group in WWII" manuscript
Collection — Folder: S2975
Identifier: S2975
Scope and Contents
This collection includes a written manuscript from Donald Steffen in 1949, regarding his experiences serving as a pilot with the U.S. 440th Troop Carrier Group during World War II. He submitted it as a paper for an engineering class that year. The manuscript includes an additional introduction and photographs later included by Kurt W. Schlicht, Steffen's son-in-law, in 1994.
Dates
- 1949, 1994
Creator
- Steffen, Donald H., 1924-2013 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This item is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Donald Henry Steffen was born in Hamilton, Ohio on June 17, 1924. He graduated from the local high school and married his high school sweetheart Helen Leyrer. Steffen joined the U.S. Air Force and was assigned as a pilot for the 440th Troop Carrier during World War II. His service saw him pilot a C-47 with an extensive record missions. Steffen, his C-47, and his crew were part of the mission to drop paratroopers into continental Europe before D-Day. He was also involved in D-Day resupply drops; supply and passenger missions from Italy to Africa; dropping American paratroopers in LeMay, France; supplying the "Lost Battalion" in France; resupplying surrounded troops in Bastongne; dropping troops over the Rhine River; supplying General Patton's column; and transporting prisoners of war and displaces peoples from Europe. After the war, Steffen received an honorable discharge. Steffen moved to Indianapolis, Indiana after the war with his wife and worked for the Eli Lilly and Company for decades. The Steffens had four children: Donna, Tom, Linda, and Sandy. Donald Steffen died on January 31, 2013.
Sources:
Items in the collection
Ancestry.com. "Donald Henry Steffen." United States Federal Census, 1950. Accessed January 2, 2024. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Sources:
Items in the collection
Ancestry.com. "Donald Henry Steffen." United States Federal Census, 1950. Accessed January 2, 2024. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of one item.
Custodial History
This item was received as a donation by Rare Book and Manuscripts by Kurt W. Schlicht in June 1994.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2024/01/02 by A.J. Chrapliwy. EAD finding aid created 2024/01/10 by A.J. Chrapliwy.
Creator
- Steffen, Donald H., 1924-2013 (Person)
- Title
- Donald Steffan, "440th Troop Carrier Group in WWII" manuscript
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
