Pro Patria Medal

Established in 2011, the Pro Patria Medal is a civil state decoration awarded by the Head of the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression based upon an application and documentation from veteran and victim of oppression groups. Recommendations may also be made by departments of the Polish Government or Polish diplomatic missions and military attaches. The medal is awarded to mark special merit in strengthening and treasuring the memory of the Polish people’s fight for the independence of the Polish Republic during and following World War II.

 

Awarded to the following individuals:

TADEUSZ CISEK was born in 1922 in the former territory of the eastern provinces of the Second Polish Republic, Stanislawowski Voivodeship. In 1940, Mr. Cisek was deported to northern Kazakhstan and imprisoned in Soviet prison camps. Through the power of the Sikorski-Mayski Agreement, Cisek was freed to join the newly formed Polish Army in Lugowoj, Russia. Mr. Cisek joined the Polish Air Force being assembled in England as a member of the parachute squadron. Mr. Cisek saw action near Arnhem, Holland. After World War II, Mr. Cisek served in the army in the occupied zone of Germany. After demobilization, Mr. Cisek began his study of various technical courses and in 1951 immigrated to the United States and settled in Wisconsin. Mr. Cisek joined and actively participated in several Polish organizations, including Commander of the 94th Station of SWAP and CPA. Mr. Cisek received many military and civilian honors for his courageous service in the military, as well as his outstanding civic contributions.

LEONARD JEDRZEJCZAK was born in 1923 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Mr. Jedrzejczak was a boy scout and a participant in the Invasion of Poland September Campaign. Captured, Mr. Jedrzejczak was interned in a Hungarian prison camp. Eventually escaping, Mr. Jedrzejczak fled Hungary and joined the Polish Army in the Middle East. He served in the Polish Independent Carpathian Brigade, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division and General Wladyslaw Anders’ 2nd Polish Corps. Mr. Jedrzejczak participated in the battles at Tobruk, Monte Cassino and Bologna. Following demobilization, Mr. Jedrzejczak finished his technical studies in London, and after immigrating to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, worked as an engineer and metallurgist. As a volunteer, Mr. Jedrzejczak has devoted many years of service to the Polonia Sports Club, co-created various radio broadcasting programs, and founded Polish Scouting in Wisconsin. Mr. Jedrzejczak has received many military and civilian honors including the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Rebirth of Poland.

STANISLAW ORZECHOWSKI was born in 1917. When World War II began, Mr. Orzechowski was serving in the Polish Navy stationed in Gdynia. Participating in the Invasion of Poland September Campaign, Mr. Orzechowski was captured and imprisoned by the Soviets, suffering severe and harsh living conditions. Deported to Siberia, Mr. Orzechowski worked in a mine in Vorkuta. Obtaining amnesty by the power of the Sikorski-Mayski Agreement, he immediately joined the Polish Army. Along with several hundred Polish Marines and Air Force pilots, he was transported to England where he spent the remainder of the war working as radiotelegraph operator, as well as supplying equipment to the Allied Army. In 1946, Orzechowski immigrated to America and dedicated his life working for his new homeland. Mr. Orzechowski has been the recipient of many military and civilian honors and distinctions.