Bajak, Sigmund F.

Sigmund F. Bajak

Retired naval aviation officer, television executive, writer

Born Sept. 11, 1924, Buffalo (NY), U.S.; son of Frank and Zophia (Dudajek); married Dorothy (Mershon); children: Jennifer, Frank, Benjamin, John.

Education: B.A., Miami University, Oxford (OH), 1949, Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Yale University, New Haven (CT), 1952; Columbia University, New York City, 1970-71; Norwich University, (VT), 1978-79; Hunter College, and New School, New York City, 1980; Ph.D. candidate, University of Warsaw (Poland), 1987-93.

Career: director, NBC News, New York City, 1955-85.

Author: 50 films and video for info. and training, 1950-91; translator (from Polish), Master and Margarita, 1989; article in Wojskowy Przeglad Historyczny, 1991.

Member of: executive vice president, United States Navy (USN) League, New York City; honorary committee member of, Intrepid Museum Society, New York City; Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Pensacola (FL); lector, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Scarsdale (NY); Kosciuszko Foundation; Polish American Congress (P.A.C.)

Honors: educational award, National Press Photographers Association, 1975; Legion of Merit, R. Reagan, President of U.S., 1981.

Served with: United States Naval Reserve (USNR), rear admiral, 1942-84. Independent. Roman Catholic.

Languages: English, Polish, Russian.

Hobbies: home improvement, physical fitness.

Home: 43 Tunstall Rd, Scarsdale NY 10583

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation,
New York, NY, 1996

Sigmund F. Bajak (1924 - 1996)
Admiral, fighter pilot, WW II Veteran
Naval Park display to honor Admiral Bajak
by Edward S. Wiater

The Buffalo waterfront development is still a "nebulous promise," but the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Servicemen's Park has a new display case. It honors a Buffalo Polish American who distinguished himself not only in military service but in public service as well - the late Rear Admiral Sigmund F. Bajak, Retired.
Although the display case honoring Admiral Bajak has been in place several weeks, the official unveiling ceremonies are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sat., Aug. 25 at the Naval Park.
The program will include short speeches by teachers, priests and servicemen who remember Admiral Bajak. Admiral Bajak was one of the speakers when the park opened in 1979.
The admiral, born Sept. 11, 1924, was the son of Frank and Sophia Bajak who lived on Paige St. He attended St. Florian's Parochial School and Burgard Vocational School where he studied aviation mechanics.
Admiral Bajak studied one semester at the University of Buffalo when in 1942 at age 18 he joined the U.S. Navy. He trained to be a fighter pilot and received his wings at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL.
Admiral Bajak served in the South Pacific Theater of War flying F6F Hellcats off five different aircraft carriers - Bismarck Sea, Essex, Wasp, Yorktown and Lexington.
In 1975, after 30 years of active and reserve duty, Bajak was promoted to rear admiral. He commanded the New York Reserve Readiness Command that covered all the naval reserve forces in the northeast. He retired in 1984.
He continued his education earning graduate degrees from Miami University of Ohio, and Yale University. He also did post-graduate work at Columbia and New York universities.
Admiral Bajak tied his private work star to NBC and spent 20 years with the company.
With his wife Dorothy, Admiral Bajak raised a daughter Jennifer B. Halperin and three sons, Frank, Benjamin and John.
Family members say that among the most exciting moments in Admiral. Bajak's life was when he met Pope John Paul II at the pope's summer home at Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
Admiral. Bajak died May 30,1996 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
The display case at the park was initiated by Capt. Roger Lance, Jr. and was picked as an Eagle Boy Scouts project led by Tristan S. Schultz, Troop 285, Silver Lakes District, Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America.
In a statement of appreciation, the Bajak family, said, "Deepest appreciation go to Chief Joseph E. Cole, USN Retired, the Buffalo and Erie County Military Park as well as to master carpenter David K. Jensen and to Thomas P. Ignacio, Norman J. Marshall, Mike W. Thompson who donated their time and efforts on the project as well as the scouts of Troop 285, Scoutmaster Barry C. Bistis, George E. Boller III and the scouts parents committee."
Source: American Polish Eagle, Aug. 23, 2001.