Milton Laitman

Lt. Col. Milton “Mickey” Abraham Laitman, 99, of Basking Ridge died Oct. 6, 2015. He was born in New York City.

Mr. Laitman founded Planned Financial Programs, offering investment counseling especially geared to the needs of cadets and graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

He attended Cooper Union for two years before receiving his West Point commission, graduating from the Academy in 1939. 

He served in World War II, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In June 1941, he led the Indigo Task Force, a secret mission to Iceland to guard the North Atlantic shipping lanes from German attack. During the war, he served as chief of the Electronics Branch of the Signal Corps, as Division Signal Officer with the 17th Airborne Division, and trained at Harvard and MIT in the development of radar. 

Get New Jersey Jewish News's Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

A philanthropist, he worked toward the creation of the Jewish Chapel at West Point.

Predeceased last year by his wife of 75 years, Josephine Propp Laitman, he is survived by three daughters, Marcie Laitman (Morris) Kotler, Lynn Laitman (Donald) Siebert, and Lori Laitman (Bruce) Rosenblum; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Services were held Oct. 8 at West Point with arrangements by J.L. Apter Memorial Chapels of Somerville. Memorial contributions may be made to West Point Jewish Chapel Fund, 750 Merritt Rd., West Point, NY 10996 or American Heart Association.