Jewish American soldier Sydney Goodman was taken prisoner by the Nazis in December 1944, just over a year after enlisting in the US Army

Jewish American soldier Sydney Goodman was taken prisoner by the Nazis in December 1944, just over a year after enlisting in the US Army.

During his time as a POW, Sydney wrote on the back of the family photographs he kept with him. He documented his experiences and kept records of those who died in captivity. In his dated entries, Sydney described the unusually terrible conditions he experienced at the camp, including the lack of food and basic resources.

Despite the extraordinary challenges of life in the camp, Sydney was determined to survive. 

He wrote, “‘When I get home,’ sounds like a fairy story or dream now but soon it will be a reality.”

In April 1945, Sydney and other American POWs were forced on a march south from the labor camp where they were imprisoned. US Army forces eventually intercepted their route, and Sydney was liberated.

While Sydney survived the war, we remember the heroic efforts of the US servicemen who died.

Sydney is pictured in the first photo on the right. 

Photos: USHMM, gift of the family of Sydney L. Goodman

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