EMBASSY EVENTS 2009

U.S. Officers Honor Heroism of Polish “Armia Krajowa”

6 February 2009

Wreaths at the AK Memorial

Five U.S. military officers from the Embassy's Defense Attaché Office and Office of Defense Cooperation represented the American people on February 1, 2009 at the 65th anniversary memorial celebration of the Armia Krajowa (Home Army) action aimed against the notorious Franz Kutschera, SS General and Police Leader of Nazi-occupied Warsaw, responsible for the murders of hundreds of Polish resistance members and civilians.  The officers were introduced to Maria "Kama" Stypułkowska-Chojecka, winner of Poland's highest order, the "Virtuti Militari."   During the ceremony, wreaths were laid at the location of the Home Army action and at a nearby spot at the Hungarian Embassy where hundreds of Warsaw residents were executed by the SS following the Home Army's successful elimination of Kutschera.  Kama, as a young girl during World War II, served in the famous Scout Unit known as "Parasol."  She played an integral role in several key Home Army actions.  In the action against Kutschera, Kama served in the critical position of "first lookout," positively identifying the target and signaling her colleagues in the resistance about the vehicle approach of Kutschera and his SS entourage.  During her speech, Kama credited Captain Adam Borys "Pług," Parasol Battalion Commander, for his excellent and dedicated leadership of Parasol and his brilliant planning of the February 1 action.  Attending the ceremony were Col (USAF) Burke, LTC (USA) Kaffka, LCDR (USN) Strosin, MAJ (USA) Shea, and Capt (USAF) Szczepanski.