Soft launch: Soldier biographies and research notes vary in completeness. Prefer class-roster, NARA, newspapers, and other cited sources for contested facts — treat Research notes as leads, not settled history. Anyone can correct a page; contact us with questions.
Meyer Krakowski
| Meyer Krakowski | |
|---|---|
![]() | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1901 Poland |
| Died | 1978 |
| Nativity | Poland |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Awards | Army Commendation Ribbon |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| 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 |
| Army Commendation Ribbon |
{{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.
Biography
Meyer Krakowski (1901-1978) was a Polish-born Jewish Ritchie Boy who trained at Camp Ritchie in the 21st class and graduated on 18 September 1944. He was a language teacher at Los Angeles City College when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After an initial discharge, he reenlisted as an officer for the Camp Ritchie intelligence training program.
During the war Krakowski followed Patton's forces into Germany. He was attached to a forward P-47 fighter squadron in France, where he interrogated Luftwaffe pilots and other German officers. After Germany surrendered in May 1945, he was sent to Germany to help place German orphans in homes. West German officials commended his service, and he received the civilian version of the Iron Cross. After the war he returned to Los Angeles City College and eventually retired as head of its language department.
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 Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
- Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records
- 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
- Camp Ritchie Military Intelligence Training Center certificate for Meyer Krakowski, class 21, 18 September 1944
- Camp Ritchie class certificate, associated gallery scan
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 24 September 2022 (biographical account and gallery documents)
- Photograph of Meyer Krakowski in uniform
- Commendation certificate identifying Krakowski as a first lieutenant, associated gallery scan


