Smithtown Building Closed

Due to the storm that occurred during the early morning hours of August 19, which caused torrential flooding, our Smithtown Building suffered catastrophic damage to its lower level. Therefore, until further notice, our Smithtown Building will be closed while we continue to rebuild.  Our other three buildings remain open to assist our patrons. For updates, click here. 

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Veterans Oral History Project

If you are interested in participating once the project resumes, please contact the Long Island Room at 631-360-2480 x197 or via email at longislandroom@smithlib.org.

About the Project

The Smithtown Library's Long Island Room is collecting personal accounts of Smithtown veterans to preserve a permanent record of their military service experience.  Library staff will conduct, record and make the interviews available to the public through the Long Island Room’s website.  They will also forward a copy of each interview to the Library of Congress for inclusion in their national Veterans History Project. Veterans of all ages are welcome to participate.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the project, please call (631)360-2480 x197 or send an email to longislandroom@smithlib.org.

Interviews

The personal accounts of those who have chosen to share their experiences through the Long Island Room's Veterans Oral History Project encompass a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to biographical information, entrance into military service, wartime/ peacetime service experiences, separation from the military, post-service life and reflections upon the impact of serving in the U.S. military.

Thanks to all of our Veterans Oral History Project participants for your service and your willingness to share your experiences.

George Allison

George Allison
Born in 1925 in Syosset, New York, George Allison enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard at the age of 17. Mr. Allison served from 1943-1946.
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Henry Carattini

Henry Carattini oral history project
Born in 1928 and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Henry Carattini enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He served from 1945-1946.
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Hong Loy

Hong Loy oral history project
A first generation American, Hong Loy was born in 1922 in Bristol, Connecticut. Mr. Loy grew up in New York City and was later recruited to join the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.), the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A.), during World War II.
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James Gouras

James Gouras oral history project images
A lifelong Smithtown resident, James "Jim" Gouras enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1944 at the age of 17. He served actively from April 1945 through December 1946 in the 221st Military Police.
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Michael Tangel

Michael Tangel oral history project
Michael “Mickey” Tangel was born in Brooklyn in 1947 and raised in Hollis, Queens. Mr. Tangel was starting his teaching career in the Middle Country School District when his number was selected in the Vietnam War draft lottery. Mr. Tangel served from 1971 to 1972.
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Nicholas Muratore

Nicholas Muratore oral history project
Nicolo (Nicholas) Muratore was born in Brooklyn in 1931. Mr. Muratore enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 19, shortly after starting college. He served from 1951 to 1955 and was trained to work as a radio mechanic.
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Seymour Lederman

Seymour Lederman oral history project
Born in 1929 and raised in Brooklyn, Seymour "Sy" Lederman enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of just 15, serving from 1944-1948. During WWII he was assigned to the 14th Tank Battalion.
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Stephen Kovach

Stephen Kovach oral history project
Born in 1925 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Stephen Kovach enlisted in the U.S. Navy after he completed high school. He served from 1943-1946.
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