Edward Rowny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Rowny
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Lieutenant General Edward L. Rowny
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| Born | April 3, 1917 Baltimore, Maryland |
| Died | December 17, 2017 (aged 100) Washington, D.C. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1979 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | I Corps 24th Mechanized Infantry Division 38th Infantry Regiment 317th Engineer Combat Battalion |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal (2) Air Medal Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland) |
Edward Leon Rowny (born April 3, 1917 – died December 17, 2017) was a high-ranking officer in the United States Army. He reached the rank of Lieutenant General. He was a leader in World War II and the Korean War. He also advised five United States presidents and helped negotiate important treaties about nuclear weapons.
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Early Life and Education
Edward L. Rowny was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 3, 1917. His father, John Rowny, came from Poland in 1912. His mother, Mary Ann Radziszewski, was born in the U.S. but her parents were also from Poland.
From age 6 to 16, Edward was raised by his grandmother, Adamina Radziszewski. She was very smart and spoke five languages. She taught Edward a lot about Polish history and culture. She told him about Thaddeus Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski. These were Polish officers who helped America fight for its freedom. She also introduced him to the music of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, a famous Polish composer and leader.
Edward went to the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, an engineering high school. He graduated in 1933. He later studied at Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a degree in Engineering. He also earned degrees from West Point, Yale, and American University.
Military Career Highlights
General Rowny led soldiers in three major wars: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
World War II and Korea
During World War II, Rowny helped lead troops in Italy. His battalion pushed German forces back until the war ended. After the war in Europe, he helped plan the invasion of Japan.
He later worked with General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War. Rowny was a key planner for the important Inchon landing in 1950. This attack helped U.S. forces take back Seoul. He also helped rescue surrounded Marines and Army troops at the Chosin Reservoir. He did this by air-dropping a bridge to help them cross a deep gap. Rowny also managed the evacuation of many North Koreans who wanted to live in South Korea.
Cold War and Arms Control
In the mid-1960s, Rowny commanded the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division in West Germany. During the Vietnam War, he helped test helicopters for the Army. He also helped move NATO troops from France.
In 1971, Rowny became the U.S. representative for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). These were talks with the Soviet Union about limiting nuclear weapons. He held this job under three presidents: Nixon, Ford, and Carter.
In 1979, he retired from the Army. He did this to protest the SALT II Treaty. He believed it would make the U.S. less safe. After Ronald Reagan became president, Rowny was appointed as the chief negotiator for the Strategic Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty (START). This treaty aimed to reduce nuclear weapons. President Reagan later made him his Special Advisor on Arms Control. Rowny received the Presidential Citizen Medal for his work. He continued to advise President George H.W. Bush on arms control for two more years.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1990, after 50 years of government service, Rowny retired. He became an international consultant. He also continued to advise the government on national security and fighting terrorism.
Bringing Paderewski Home
In 1992, Rowny achieved a goal he had for 50 years. He helped return the remains of Ignacy Jan Paderewski to Poland. Paderewski was a famous composer and pianist. He was also an important statesman who helped Poland become a free and democratic country after World War I. He even became Poland's first Prime Minister.
Supporting Polish-Americans
In 2003, Ambassador Rowny became the Vice President of the American Polish Advisory Council (APAC). This group helps Polish-Americans get involved in government. He later became President of APAC in 2007.
In 2004, Rowny started the Paderewski Scholarship Fund. This fund helps Polish university students study American democracy at Georgetown University.
In 2005, he received the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom. This award honored his work and the efforts of others who fought for freedom, like the Polish trade union Solidarity.
Books and Awards
In 2013, Rowny published his autobiography, Smokey Joe and the General. In 2014, he received an honorary degree from The Institute of World Politics. That same year, South Korea awarded him their highest military honor, the Order of Military Merit, Taeguk.
Personal Life
Edward Rowny married Elizabeth Ladd in 1994. He had five children with his first wife, Mary Rita Leyko, who passed away in 1988.
Rowny lived to be 100 years old. In April 2017, the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, visited him to congratulate him.
Death
Edward Rowny passed away on December 17, 2017, at the age of 100. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in 2018.
Awards and Badges
General Rowny received many awards for his service, including:
- Army Distinguished Service Medal (twice)
- Silver Star (three times)
- Legion of Merit (three times)
- Bronze Star Medal (twice)
- Air Medal
- Presidential Citizens Medal
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland)
- Order of Military Merit (South Korea), 1st Class (South Korea)
- Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom (2005)
- Walter Judd Freedom Award (2007)
