Kazimierz J. Kasperek

Kazimierz J. Kasperek ("Kazik") is veteran from the Polish Navy who was figthing during WW II.

Biography

Kazimierz J. Kasperek was born in 1916 in Częstochowa, Poland and enlisted as a volunteer in the Polish Navy on February 1, 1936. After two years of training, WW II broke out with the Invasion of Poland. Kazik served defending the port of Gydnia and the Peninsula of Hel. Kazik was among the last fighters to be taken by the Germans as a prisoner of war. He escaped to Holland and made his way to Paris where he was sent to London to unite with the Polish Navy-in-Exile and the Allied Forces where he rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Kazik Kasperek was at the helm in constant sea battles and special operations, including hunts for U-boats, the Dunkirk evacuation, convoys, and the Battle of Malta where his ship the O.R.P. "Kujawiak" was sunk. During his service until the end of WWII, May 8, 1945, Kazik crossed the Atlantic Ocean at least 26 times while escorting convoys. After the war he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. Kazik is the most decorated officer from WWII in the Polish Navy.

Despite contributing greatly to the Allied effort, the Polish Navy and free Poland fell victim to underhanded post-war international dealings that led to their political obliteration under the Potsdam and Yalta agreements.

Eventually, Kasperek and his wife and two daughters became U.S. Citizens. After Poland became free again, he wrote "Kazik's Polish Navy", the memoir of his adventures which range from having ships blown out from under him to falling in love with his Irene, the lady he married. Kazik and Irene currently live on the Atlantic Coast, in Florida.

Medals

For his service during World War II, Kazimierz received the following medals:

Awarded by Poland

*Cross of Valor (Krzyż Walecznych)
*Distinguished Service Cross with the Polish Eagle
*Navy Medal for War 1939-1945 (Medal Morski za Wojne 1939-1945)
*Freedom Fighter Medal
*Cross of September Campaign 1939 (Krzyz Kampanii Wrzesniowej 1939)
*Honorable Service Medal
*1939 "POLSKIE SIŁY-ZBROJNE-NA-ZACHODZIE" 1945:(1939 Polish Armed Forces-in-the-West 1945)

Awarded by England

*War Medal 1939 to 1945
*War Star 1939 to 1945
*Atlantic Campaign Star
*Africa Campaign Star
*Italy Campaign Star
*France and Germany Star
*Defense Medal 1939 to 1945

Awarded by Malta

*George Cross Medal

Awarded by France

*Dunkirk Campaign Medal
*War Medal 1939 to 1945 (Médaille commémorative de la Guerre 1939-1945)

Awarded by Norway

*War Medal 1939 to 1945 (Krigsmedaljen)

References

Kasperek, Kazimierz J. with Pat McDonough. "Kazik's Polish Navy". Melbourne: Terra Sancta Press, 2008. http://terrasanctapress.com/