Maximilian Lerner

Maximilian Lerner (September 4, 1924 – September 10, 2022) was an Austrian-born American known for his work in the Military Intelligence Service during World War II. His training at Camp Ritchie during the war classifies him as one of the Ritchie Boys.

Early life Lerner was born in Vienna, Austria on September 4, 1924, the son of a furrier and a homemaker. Shortly after the German annexation of Austria in 1938, his family moved to Paris, later to Nice, France. Lerner learned French while he attended high school in France. The family moved on to Manhattan, New York in 1941, where he attended high school at night while he worked during the day.

Army career Lerner enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 18th birthday. After basic training, he was sent to Camp Ritchie, a training center for military intelligence.

Later life After returning from the war, Lerner attended school on the G.I. Bill and received a bachelor's degree from City College of New York and in 1952 a master's degree from Columbia University. He started a horticultural products business and raised a family. Lerner was one of four Ritchie Boys to be interviewed by 60 Minutes for his role in military intelligence during World War II. He wrote a memoir and two spy novels. He died on September 10, 2022, in Manhattan.

Memoir