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BOOKS
Kajencki, Francis Casimir
November 15, 1918 -- July 18, 2008
Colonel United States Army, military historian, writer
Francis Casimir Kajencki, 89, died 18 July 2008 of natural causes in El Paso, Texas. He was born 15 November 1918, the second of five children to Polish immigrants Antoni and Antonina (Staszewska) Kajencki in Erie, PA. His parents strongly promoted education as the gateway to a better life for their children, Edward, Francis, Stephen, Sophie, and Louise.
Francis was an excellent student and attended Polish parochial elementary schools, followed by enrollment in Bishop Gannon's Cathedral Preparatory School in 1933. This high school had exceptionally high standards that prepared him well for his competitive route to an appointment to West Point via the Pennsylvania National Guard. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in January 1943, and then fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
After 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. He was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, to teach officers and enlisted men about guided missiles and air defense artillery. After 17 years of training military personnel, commanding new missile and nuclear weapons systems in the United States and overseas, including General Staff duty at the Pentagon, Col. Kajencki changed fields to become a senior officer in Public Information.
In 1966-67, he attended the University of Wisconsin (Madison) where he earned a master's degree in Journalism. He then served two years as the Chief of Information Allied Land Forces Southeastern Europe for NATO in Izmir, Turkey. Upon return to the United States in 1969, Col. Kajencki assumed the duties of Information Officer of the Military District of Washington, culminating as Assistant Chief of Information, Department of the Army.
He retired in 1973 after more than 34 years of military service. 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 battle stars, the Commendation Medal, the Distinguished Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, World II Victory Medal, and the Army Occupation Medal.
Shortly after his military retirement, Col. Kajencki earned a third master's degree in History from George Mason University. He returned to his retirement home in El Paso and commenced a career of historical research and writing. As a distinguished military historian, Col. 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. His biography on Thaddeus Kosciuszko was singled out for merit by the International Commission on Military History in 2001. As his prolific writing career approached an end due to failing health, Col. Kajencki worked tirelessly to research, write, and publish his last book. It is a highly credible, hard-hitting expose titled "American Betrayal: Franklin Roosevelt Casts Poland into Communist Captivity."
Always a champion for Polonia and a staunch defender of "polskosc" (Polishness) in America, Col. 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. Among many awards over the years, Col. Kajencki was honored by the Polish Embassy on 22 June 2005 with a special reception and medal award ceremony in recognition of his truly extraordinary literary and cultural achievements.
Francis Casimir Kajencki was a perpetual scholar, soldier and patriot, and a consummate professional in his life's work. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a widower for many years. His wife, Virginia Theresa (Bierasinski) Kajencki died in 1969. He is survived by his youngest sister, Louise Winschel (Erie, PA), his four children: Francis C. Kajencki, Jr. (Pekin, IL), Anthony A. Kajencki, II (Hedgesville, WV), Miriam L. Kajencki (Barnet, England), AnnMarie F. Kajencki (Bismarck, ND), and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A reception and viewing will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on 15 October 2008 from 6 -8 p.m. A full honors military burial will be held on 16 October 2008 at Arlington National Cemetery, beginning with a Catholic Mass in the Ft. Meyer Old Post Chapel at 1045. Directions to and pertinent information about burial ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery are available on the website. In lieu of flowers and/or wreaths, the Kajencki family suggests that memorial contributions to Polish American foundations and organizations be made.
Obituary by: Anthony Kajencki (2008)
Francis Casimir Kajencki
Military officer, historian, author
Born Nov. 15, 1918, Erie (PA), U.S. son of Antoni and Antonina (Staszewska); married Virginia (Bierasinski); children: Francis Jr., Anthony, Miriam, Ann Marie.
Education: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), U.S. Military Academy, West Point (NY), 1943; Master of Science (M.S.) (in engineering), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1949, (in journalism), University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1967; Master of Arts (M.A.) (in history), George Mason University, Fairfax (VA), 1976.
Career: chief, Public Information Division, Allied Land Forces, Southeastern Europe, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Izmir (Turkey), 1967-69; information officer, U.S. Army Military District of Washington (DC), 1969-71; assistant, Chief of Information, Department of the Army, Washington, 1972-73; president, Southwest Polonia Press, El Paso (TX), 1990 -.
Author: Star on Many a Battlefield, 1980; Uncle Billy's War, 1989; Poles in the 19th Century Southwest, 1990.
Member of: president, founder, General C. Pulaski Society, 1960-61, president, Polish National Alliance (P.N.A.) Lodge No. 3155, 1976-81, El Paso; Polish American Congress (P.A.C.) (president, Texas Division, 1983-88); advisory trustee, El Paso Commission Foundation; National Press Club, 1970-91, Washington.
Honors: Meritorious Service Medal, 1971, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, 1972, Legion of Merit, 1973, U.S. Army; Zgoda Centennial Award, Alliance Printers & Publishers, 1981.
Served with: U.S. Army, colonel, 1937-73.
Affiliation: Independent. Roman Catholic.
Languages: English, Polish.
Hobbies: world events, travel, gardening.
Home: 3308 Nairn St., El Paso, TX 79925.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996