BIO OF SY LICHTENFELD
Sy Lichtenfeld served almost three years in the U.S.Army during World War II in airborne and combat infantry units as a rifleman. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge after his unit was surrounded for three days and had run out of food and ammunition. He was taken prisoner at the point of a bayonet and spent over five months as a Prisoner of War in Germany.
The war Department has awarded him the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Purple Heart, The Bronze Star, the Prisoner of War Medal, World War II Battle of the Bulge Medal, The European Theatre of Operations Medal with three battle clusters, as well as many others for his years of service.
After the war, he attended Purdue University and obtained a degree in engineering and operated successful businesses in Chicago and Miami. He resided in Miami for 47 years with his wife, Natalie and their three children. In February 2011, Sy & Natalie relocated to Mobile to be near family.
He has been very active in the American EX-Prisoners of War Organization having served as a Commander of three EX-POW Chapters and on the Board of Directors of the Florida Dept of Ex-POWs. He was a Veterans Service Officer for many years helping other Vets in obtaining their benefits.
He is presently active in the South Alabama Veterans Council, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Alabama Chapter No.1 of the Rolling Thunder and various Veteran Service Organizations. In addition, he travels throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties educating school children and others about World War II.
In April 2014, he was appointed by the Governor of the State of Alabama to serve as a member of the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs.
The Library of Congress has accepted his book which he has written about his experiences in the Army as a Prisoner of War.