Remembering Our Heroes: A Polish American Tribute on Memorial Day

While Memorial Day's roots lie in the American experience, it quickly became a shared ritual among immigrant communities, especially those eager to prove their loyalty and devotion to their new homeland. Among them were Polish Americans, whose contributions to America's defense stretch back to the republic's founding.

A Legacy of Polish Service in America

The history of Polish Americans in the U.S. military is long and distinguished. As early as the American Revolutionary War, Polish heroes like Tadeusz Kościuszko and Kazimierz Pułaski left a permanent mark on American history. Kościuszko's engineering genius helped fortify key positions, while Pułaski, often called the "Father of the American Cavalry," gave his life at the Battle of Savannah in 1779.

In the following decades, waves of Polish immigrants arrived in the United States, particularly in the mid-to-late 19th century. Many enlisted in the military, seeing it as a path to integration and a duty to their adopted nation. During the Civil War, thousands of Polish Americans served on both sides. One of the earliest Polish recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor was Albert Glawinski, a U.S. Army blacksmith who braved enemy fire in 1876 during a battle against the Cheyenne and Sioux on the Powder River in Montana.

The 20th Century: Polish American Patriotism in Full Force

By World War I, Polish Americans were widely recognized for their patriotism. Over 20,000 Polish volunteers trained at the Kosciuszko Camp in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, as part of the Blue Army (also known as Haller's Army), which would later fight for Poland's independence in Europe under French command.

World War II marked perhaps the highest level of military participation by Polish Americans. In many cities nationwide, especially in Chicago, Buffalo, Detroit, and Milwaukee, it was not uncommon for 30 to 40 percent of Polish neighborhoods to serve in uniform. They fought valiantly in every theater of war, from the beaches of Normandy to the islands of the Pacific, and many never returned home. Their service was not only a contribution to the United States, but a personal stand against tyranny, both Nazi and Soviet.

Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice

In later conflicts—from Korea and Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan—Polish Americans have continued to serve and sacrifice, upholding a tradition of valor and duty. Their names are etched on gravestones across America and walls of remembrance in communities that still carry deep Polish roots.

Today, as Memorial Day also signals the unofficial start of summer, with gatherings, parades, and barbecues, it is essential to pause and remember. The freedoms we enjoy were not given—they were earned by those who wore the uniform, endured hardships, and showed what Abraham Lincoln called "the last full measure of devotion."

Let us remember the contributions of Polish Americans, who not only embraced the values of liberty and justice but also gave their lives so others might live in peace.

May their memory be eternal.
Cześć ich pamięci.

By John Radzilowski, Ph.D.
Director, Polish Institute of Culture and Research at Orchard Lake