Janusz K. Zawodny facts for kids

Janusz Kazimierz Zawodny (born December 11, 1921 – died April 8, 2012) was a brave Polish-American historian and political scientist. He was also a soldier and a freedom fighter during World War II. He fought with the Polish Underground State to help his country.

A Life of Service and Study

Fighting for Freedom

Janusz Zawodny joined the Polish Army during World War II. He first fought when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. Later, he joined the secret Home Army, which was a resistance group. This group fought against the invaders in Poland.

He was a second lieutenant in the 1944 Warsaw uprising. This was a big fight in Warsaw against the German army. He was a commander in a special battalion during this uprising.

During the street fights, he was hurt twice. Once, he was shot in the hand. Another time, a German grenade exploded near him. He had thrown it back, but some pieces still hit his face and ear.

After the uprising, he was captured. He became a prisoner of war in a camp called Oflag VII-A Murnau. He used a different name, "Turczyk," because the Gestapo (German secret police) were looking for him. After the war, he joined the Second Polish Army Corps in Italy. There, he led a group of heavy armored cars.

Life After the War

After World War II ended in 1945, Janusz Zawodny continued his military service. When the Soviet Union took control of Poland, he decided to stay abroad. He moved to the United States and lived in Washington state until he passed away in 2012.

He continued his education in the U.S. He studied at the University of Iowa. In 1955, he earned his PhD from Stanford University.

A Career in Education

After his studies, Janusz Zawodny became a university professor. He taught at several famous universities. These included Princeton University and University of Pennsylvania. He also taught at Oxford University in England.

He was also a member of important research groups. He worked at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. He was also a research associate at Harvard University. He received fellowships from the Ford Foundation.

Later in his career, he advised the United States National Security Council. This council helps the U.S. President make decisions about national safety. He advised Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

Important Books

Janusz Zawodny wrote several important books about history. These books helped people understand key events from World War II.

• Death in the Forest: The Story of the Katyn Forest Massacre (1962)
• Nothing but Honor: The Story of the Warsaw Uprising, 1944 (1978)
• The Warsaw Uprising in Combat and Diplomacy (1994)
• Participants and Witnesses of the Warsaw Uprising. Interviews (2004)

Awards and Honors

Janusz Zawodny received many awards for his work. These honors recognized his contributions to history and his service.

• History Award, The J. Pilsudski Institute, New York, 1997
• Literary Award, Kultura, Paris, 1981
• Gold Medal and Life Membership, Medicus Association Doctors of Medicine, 1980
• "Guardian of National Remembrance" from Poland's Instytut Pamięci Narodowej, 2003

Military Decorations

He also received several important military decorations for his bravery.

• Virtuti Militari
• Polonia Restituta (Commander with Star)
• Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Commander with Star)
• Cross of Valor
• Gold and Silver Crosses of Merit with Swords
• British War Medal 1939–45

See also

• List of Poles