Kepinski, AdamHe was born in Rypin, occupied Poland, prior to World War I, and before he left Poland served in the Tsar's and Siberian Armies; he was also a gold prospector, among his other achievements.
After his sister (mother of Eugene J. Dreger) sent him travel money for transportation he came to America and joined the United States Army. Because of his experience with various types of weapons he was asked by the War Department to stay and work in the District of Columbia and also at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. There he designed, developed and conducted research. However, he had told the Army that he joined "to kill the enemy." While attached to the Headquarters Company, First CAS Ordnance Battalion in France he was injured in a mustard gas attack while on "official leave." Incidentally, he did kill several of the enemy.
The gas that he inhaled on the front line affected his ability to speak for the rest of his life.
After discharge from the army he was offered a position with Colt Firearms in Hartford, CT and later rose to the position of Section Chief/Engineer. During World War II, in addition to increasing the quantity of weapons (by 250 percent) that the company produced, he redesigned and supervised the revision of the 40 mm and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns to correct the jamming and malfunctions. After he redesigned the guns they were much more effective and through this he saved the lives of soldiers because the weapons continued to operate effectively in action when battling the enemy.
At age 70 he died at the Hartford Veterans' Administration Hospital of the mustard gas poisoning that initially affected him in France. He is survived by one sister who resides on their father's farm at this time. His other seven brothers and sisters are no longer living.
Ancestors of the family were known as experts in weapons design. One was offered a position with the Krupp Works in Germany but refused since the weapons would have been used against occupied Poland.
Some of the medals he received were: World War I Victory Medal; Purple Heart; Good Conduct; European Duty; several American and Foreign Medals; State of Connecticut Medal; and others.
For these reasons the Polish Legion of American Veterans (PLAV), U.S.A. Post #207 in Las Vegas, Nevada, was named after him.
Last name also spelled as: Kempenski, Kempienski, Kempinski
From: his nephew, Eugene J. Dreger, P.E. (2007) and PLAV information