Francis Kajencki

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Francis Casimir Kajencki

Born: November 15, 1918
Died: July 18, 2008
Allegiance: United States of America
Service years: 1943-1973
Rank: Colonel
Spouse: Virginia Theresa
Children: Frank Jr. (son), Anthony (son), Miriam (daughter), AnnMarie (daughter)

Francis Casimir Kajencki (November 15, 1918 – July 18, 2008) was a historian, journalist, and soldier of Polish descent.. He graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned a lieutenant in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army for 30 years. He was Assistant to the Chief of Information at the Ministry of the Army in 1973, retiring with the rank of colonel.

Personal life

Kajencki was born on November 15, 1918, in Erie, Pa. He was the second son of five children of Antoni and Antonina Kajencki. The Kajencki family was Catholic. His parents strongly promoted education as the gateway to a better life for their children, Edward, Francis, Stephen, Sophie, and Louise. He attended Polish parochial grade schools and the Erie Bishop’s High School, Cathedral Preparatory in January 1933.

Education and Military career

In January 1943, Kajencki graduated from the United States Military Academy as second lieutenant. Kajencki fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. For his service in the Pacific Theater, he was awarded eleven medals by the army, and gained three battle stars. After the end of the war, he entered the fledgling guided missile program in 1947. The Army sponsored his schooling at the University of Southern California where he earned a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949.

In 1966-67 he attended the University of Wisconsin (Madison) where he earned a master's degree in Journalism.

In 1973, after thirty-four years of service, Francis Kajencki retired from the military.

As a retired officer, Kajencki earned a master's degree, this time in history, from George Mason University. He settled in El Paso, Texas, and began a career as a historical researcher.

He served for two years as Chief of Information for NATO Allied Land Forces Southeastern Europe in Izmir, Turkey. After returning to the United States in 1969, Colonel Kajencki assumed duties as Information Officer for the Military District of Washington. He was Deputy Chief of Information for the Department of the Army.

As a distinguished military historian, Colonel Kajencki authored nine books with particular focus on significant contributions by Polish heroes and immigrants in American history. His books on the military service of Generals Thaddeus Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski, and the dramatic service of the Pulaski Legion, are particularly noteworthy in light of his meticulous research.

Kajencki was the founder and twice president of Polish National Alliance (PNA) Lodge 3155 in El Paso. Later, he was elected and served as President of the Polish American Congress (PAC) of Texas. And, he was the founder and principal managing officer of Southwest Polonia Press, the publishing company he established in El Paso. Colonel Kajencki was honored at the Polish Embassy in June of 2005 with a special reception and medal award ceremony in recognition of his extraordinary literary and cultural achievements.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Casimir Pulaski Museum in Warka, in October 2007, he prepared a paper on Pulaski's final battle at Savannah for the Polish-American symposium held in Warka. Due to his age and health, he was unable to travel to Warka. The paper was read by his son, Anthony Kajencki.

Kajencki lived to be 89 years old. He died of natural causes on July 18, 2008, in El Paso, Texas. He was bid farewell by a military funeral ceremony.

Recognition

In that span, the Army awarded him the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal twice, the Army General Staff Badge, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, the Commendation Medal, the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Army Occupation Medal.

Publications

Colonel Kajencki is the author of nine books, with particular emphasis on the significant contributions of Polish heroes and immigrants to American history. He has written about, among others, Thaddeus Kościuszko and Casimir Pulaski. His books on the military service of Generals Thaddeus Kościuszko and Casimir Pulaski are particularly noteworthy in light of his meticulous research. His biography of Thaddeus Kościuszko was recognized for its merits by the International Commission on Military History in 2001

Star on many a battlefield : brave brigadier general Joseph Kargé in the American Civil War 1980

Poles in the 19th Century Southwest 1990

Across the generations, Kajencki family history 1994

Thaddeus Kosciuszko : military engineer of the American Revolution 1998

Casimir Pulaski : cavalry commander of the American revolution 2001

Discordant trumpet : discrimination of American historians 2003

The Pulaski Legion in the American Revolution 2004

American betrayal : Franklin Roosevelt casts Poland into communist captivity 2007

Family

Kajencki was married to Virginia Theresa (Bierasinski). Together they had four children: Frank Jr., Anthony, Miriam, AnnMarie. Virginia Theresa died in 1969. Kajencki himself remained a widower until his death in 2008.

References

This article "Francis Kajencki" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Francis Kajencki. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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