[Winters photo here] [Winters photo here] [Winters photo here]

Marion Winters with his wife Joe Louise
born: 1919 -
President, American Council for Polish Culture (2000-2001)

Read about Marion Winters' war experiences

Marion Winters' Federal Service career included serving as Assistant Manager of the Social Security's largest field office that was located in Los Angeles. He was given a wide variety of assignments in an Executive Development Program that culminated with his organizing and managing a new district office in CA. In the final phase of his career he was chosen to serve on a team at Social Security Headquarters to organize and implement the newly enacted Supplemental Security Income Program. Upon retirement, Marion and his wife, Joe Louise, returned to the university where they earned Master's Degrees in Polish Literature. At Illinois University-Chicago, he co-founded and served as 1st Vice-President of the Norwid Society, and helped organize the first International Norwid Conference in the U.S.

Winters' career was interrupted for 3 1/2 years by service in the U.S. Air Force as an Officer-Bombardier during WWII, after which he served in the Air Force Reserves with the rank of Major. His 29 bombing missions, including the first daylight attacks on Berlin, earned him several awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross. His most hazardous bombing mission over Germany during which he shot down a German fighter plane is described in lan McLachlan's book, Night of the Intruders. In addition to his Air Force medals, our Presidents' most cherished awards include the ACPCs Founder's Award and the Kosciuszko Foundation's Gold Medal.

Since childhood, Marion has been deeply engaged in community activities at city, state and national levels. He has served as president of the Polish American Congress - Arizona Division; first president of the Kosciuszko Foundation, Chicago Chapter; and president of the Polish Arts CIub of Chicago. He has held every ACPC elected office on the Executive Committee other than Treasurer and served as Editor of the President's Newsletter for ten years. His efforts on behalf of the Polonia and Poland are recounted in Who's Who in Polish America.

Marion is most proud of his initiative in establishing a model ACPC "Community Computer Center" in Siedlce, Poland - the first community-based computer center in Eastern Europe. His computer skills have also greatly enhanced ACPC's outreach to Polish American youths via the Internet. The President is deeply interested in maximizing educational and career opportunities for Polish American youths and his primary goal is to strengthen and expand ACPC's scholarship and youth leadership programs.

From: Resume (2000)

Marion V. Winters

Social security executive, civic and Polish community leader

Born 1919, East Chicago (IN), U.S.; son of Walter and Antonette (Wasowicz); married Jo L. Bakun; children: Jeffrey, Brian.

Education: Alliance Academy, Cambridge Springs (PA), 1936; Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Northwestem University, Evanston (IL), 1954; Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Illinois, Chicago, 1979.

Career: supervisor, manager, staff member, Social Security Administration, 1942-75; Retired.

Author: co-editor, Perspectives, 1975-79; translator and assistant to editor, Poles in America: Bicentennial Essays, 1978; co-translator, C. K. Norwid, Vade Mecum, 1984; exhibition organizer, Chicago's Polish Churches, 1979-80; various photographs, book reviews in Polish magazines.

Member of, i.a.: Lions Club International, 1950-60; adjutant, American Legion Post 78, 1951-54, Commission Welfare Council, 1953-54, East Chicago; Air Force Reserve Officers Association (vice president, 1953); Polish American Congress (P.A.C.) (president, Arizona Division, 1964); scoutmaster, Polish Scouts (IN); co-found. and first president, Kosciuszko Foundation (Chicago chapter); co-founder and vice president, Norwid Society, University of Illinois; Polish Arts Clubs of Chicago (president, 1979-81); active member, American Council of Polish Culture (A.C.P.C.) (project director, computers for Poland).

Honors, i.a.: Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Gold Medal, Kosciuszko Foundation, 1984; Founders Award, American Council of Polish Cultural Clubs (A.C.P.C.C.), 1989.

Served with: United States Air Force (USAF), lieutenant, 1942-45; major in Air Reserve.

Languages: English, Polish, French, German.

Hobbies: personal computing, fishing.

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