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Krakowski, Meyer (0582821): Difference between revisions
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'''[[Krakowski, Meyer (0582821)|Meyer Krakowski]]''' (1901–1978) was a Ritchie Boy (from Poland; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 21. | '''[[Krakowski, Meyer (0582821)|Meyer Krakowski]]''' (1901–1978) was a Ritchie Boy (from Poland; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 21. The record lists a final rank of First Lieutenant. [[:File:5707496525938888.jpg|Source image]] | ||
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== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
Some information on RB Meyer Krakowski Meyer Krakowski was a language teacher at Los Angeles City College when he enlisted in the U.S. After being discharged, he reenlisted, as an officer, for the Camp Ritchie Intelligence Training School program. He was was a "Ritchie Boy" and followed Patton all the way to Germany. He was attached to a forward fighter squadron of P47s in France and he interrogated Luftwaffe pilots and other German officers. With enemy surrender in May of 1945, he was sent to Germany and asked to stay to place German orphans in good homes so they wouldn’t be raised as Nazis. For his service he was commended by West Germany officials and awarded the civilian version of the Iron Cross. He is believed to be one of the few Jewish American soldiers, perhaps the only Jewish soldier, awarded the German Iron Cross for his work at the end of World War II. After the War, he returned to Los Angeles City College and eventually retired as the head of the language department. | Some information on RB Meyer Krakowski Meyer Krakowski was a language teacher at Los Angeles City College when he enlisted in the U.S. After being discharged, he reenlisted, as an officer, for the Camp Ritchie Intelligence Training School program. He was was a "Ritchie Boy" and followed Patton all the way to Germany. He was attached to a forward fighter squadron of P47s in France and he interrogated Luftwaffe pilots and other German officers. With enemy surrender in May of 1945, he was sent to Germany and asked to stay to place German orphans in good homes so they wouldn’t be raised as Nazis. For his service he was commended by West Germany officials and awarded the civilian version of the Iron Cross. He is believed to be one of the few Jewish American soldiers, perhaps the only Jewish soldier, awarded the German Iron Cross for his work at the end of World War II. After the War, he returned to Los Angeles City College and eventually retired as the head of the language department. | ||
A commendation certificate identifies him as a first lieutenant and records meritorious service as an assistant in the Schools Section of the Education Branch, Headquarters, Information and Education Service, United States Forces, European Theater, from 22 August 1945 to 28 February 1946. [[:File:5707496525938888.jpg|Source image]] | |||
== Research notes == | == Research notes == | ||
Revision as of 02:45, 28 August 2026
| Meyer Krakowski | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1901 |
| Died | 1978 |
| Nativity | Poland |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Arm / service | Air Corps |
| ASN | 0582821 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Rank at Ritchie | Second Lieutenant |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 21 (21 July – 18 September 1944) |
| Section | 5D |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Meyer Krakowski (1901–1978) was a Ritchie Boy (from Poland; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 21. The record lists a final rank of First Lieutenant. Source image
Biography
Some information on RB Meyer Krakowski Meyer Krakowski was a language teacher at Los Angeles City College when he enlisted in the U.S. After being discharged, he reenlisted, as an officer, for the Camp Ritchie Intelligence Training School program. He was was a "Ritchie Boy" and followed Patton all the way to Germany. He was attached to a forward fighter squadron of P47s in France and he interrogated Luftwaffe pilots and other German officers. With enemy surrender in May of 1945, he was sent to Germany and asked to stay to place German orphans in good homes so they wouldn’t be raised as Nazis. For his service he was commended by West Germany officials and awarded the civilian version of the Iron Cross. He is believed to be one of the few Jewish American soldiers, perhaps the only Jewish soldier, awarded the German Iron Cross for his work at the end of World War II. After the War, he returned to Los Angeles City College and eventually retired as the head of the language department.
A commendation certificate identifies him as a first lieutenant and records meritorious service as an assistant in the Schools Section of the Education Branch, Headquarters, Information and Education Service, United States Forces, European Theater, from 22 August 1945 to 28 February 1946. Source image
Research notes
- OCR (100%) of `5707496559272218.jpg` (CAMP RITCHIE, MILITARY INTELLIGENCE TRAINING CENTER, Camp Ritchie) — dated 18 Sept 1944.
- OCR (83%) of `5707496525938888.jpg` (gallery document).
Gallery
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Approx Age at Death | 77 |
| Class_ASN | 582821 |
| Class_Name | KRAKOWSKI, Meyer |
| match_method | asn_exact_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
Sources
- Camp Ritchie class roster (classes 1–31), merged research file
- NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
- 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2022-09-24 (1 post)
- OCR-reviewed Facebook gallery document: 5707496559272218.jpg
- OCR-reviewed Facebook gallery document: 5707496525938888.jpg