Dr. Melvin Lederman-CMDR USN

A surgeon assigned to the USS Repose during Vietnam,
he volunteered during his free time to accompany USMC MedEvac helicopter
crews to render immediate medical attention to the troops on the front lines.

On November 29th, 1969, CMDR Mel Lederman, MD was killed
after more than two dozen missions when his helicopter was
shot down by enemy fire two days before his scheduled discharge.
This site is dedicated to providing a means of honoring him..

About Mel Donate Today!

Located on the Esplanade between the Charles River & Massachusetts General Hospital, Lederman Park was originally dedicated in 1970 to the memory of USN medic, Melvin "Mel" Lederman with a small boulder inscribed "Lederman Field." It was promised that a proper memorial would be installed at a later date. This site is dedicated to the construction and establishment of that proper memorial to Mel's memory, life and sacrifice

"Someone had to do the job of taking care of these kids and it is obvious that I am it. So by conscience I have been doing the best I know how."

May 13, 1969

"Many of the pilots, I suspect, thought that my interest in such activities as a medic was lunacy, but they don't understand what drives activists."

May 13, 1969

"I feel a compulsion to do these sorts of activist operations...the reasons for these compulsions are complicated; patriotism, sense of obligation to the nation...whatever they are, they are real and drive me. I can't back out; I'd never be able to live with myself if I missed doing whatever I could in these circumstances...I must do these things."

From a letter to Mr. Lester Grant-best friend

June 11, 1969

On May 23, 2016 Congressman Joe Kennedy III (4th District – MA), in conjunction with Town of Brookline, the Stephen F. Rutledge Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 864, and American Legion Post 11, was honored to present Marty Lederman, brother of Commander Melvin Lederman, US Navy, with the Commander’s fourth Purple Heart for his extraordinary valor in saving the lives of servicemen in Vietnam. TO LEARN MORE

National Defense Service Medals
(1951 & 1961)

Naval Reserve Medal
(1958)

World War II Victory Medal
(1964)

4 Purple Hearts
(Four for active service in Vietnam in 1969)

Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medals

(1968 & 1969)

Vietnam Service Medal

(Awarded twice
in 1969)

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

(1969)

Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

(1969)

Republic of Vietnam Air Medals

(Seven issued for service during 1969)

1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW)

Rank :
Commander

Designator/NEC :
210X-Medical Corp Officer

(1969)

Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST)

Rank :
Commander

Designator/NEC :
210X-Medical Corp Officer
(1969)

HMM-364 Purple Foxes

Rank :
Commander

Designator/NEC :
210X-Medical Corp Officer
(1969)