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 that was involved in some of the most historic battles and events that occurred in the European campaign including the Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Bastogne, Battle of Remagen and the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. For his service, Corporal Lederman received many medals and awards, including the Purple Heart.
From injuries he sustained during the war, after his military service, Mr. Lederman began to have vision problems and eventually lost his eyesight. In 1963 he obtained guide dog services through the Smithtown Guide Dog Foundation and began working for the organization as a lecturer and trainer. Mr. Lederman eventually moved to Smithtown in the 1970s.
Mr. Lederman’s interview was recorded at his home in Smithtown on May 13, 2019.
Most of the images below illustrate Mr. Lederman’s service in the U.S. Army. Images courtesy of Seymour Lederman.
