Hello Link
Welcome to our new website.
Click here to view the original
September 1996 - April 2025 site.
Czeslaw Guzenda's WWII Medals and Other Decorations

Czeslaw Guzenda's WWII Medals

Czeslaw Guzenda's WWII Medals


DESCRIPTIONS
CATEGORY ITEM AWARDED/WORN FOR
Medal Africa Star (UK) The Africa Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom on July 8 1943. It is primarily for award to British and Commonwealth forces who served in North Africa between June 10, 1940 and May, 12 1943 during the Second World War.
Medal WWII Atlantic Star (UK) The Atlantic Star is a military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945. It is primarily for award to British Commonwealth forces who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous campaign of the Second World War.
Medal 1939-1945 War Star (UK) The 1939–1945 Star is a military campaign medal instituted by the United Kingdom on 8 July 1943. It is primarily for award to British and Commonwealth forces for service in the Second World War.
Medal 1939-1945 War Medal (UK) The accompanying certificate, which is in Polish (curiously), says - "Bosman [Chief Petty Officer] Guzenda, Czestaw, is entitled to wear Medal of the Sea 1508/A (with a clasp) awarded by the Daily Order of the Chief of the Naval Command No. 12/46. Based on the Decree of the President of the Republic of Poland dated July 3, 1945."
Medal Polish Cross of Valour This is the Polish "Krzyż Walecznyc" (Cross of Valour) War Medal with specific inscriptions.
  • "NA" stands for "Niemiecka Agresja" or "Niemiecka Agresja 1939" in Polish, which translates to "German Aggression" or "German Aggression 1939" in English.
  • The inscription also refers to the start of World War II in September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland.
  • "Polu Chwaly" is an abbreviation of "Polskie Chwały," which means "Polish Glory" in English.
  • The inscription also has a reference to the valor, bravery, and honor of the Polish military personnel who served during World War II.
  • "1920" refers to the Polish-Soviet War of 1920, also known as the Polish-Bolshevik War. This war was a major conflict between Poland and Soviet Russia, and it played a significant role in shaping Poland's borders and national identity.

The combination of these inscriptions on the Polish War Medal reflects the historical context of Poland's struggles and sacrifices during both World War II and the earlier Polish-Soviet War of 1920. It honors the bravery and resilience of the Polish people during these challenging times.

ARCTIC STAR - INFORMATION REQUEST
If anybody has, or had, a family member, who was in the crew of ORP Błyskawica during WWII and you have successfully applied for the Arctic Star, please contact me using the email form in the Contact Us section. I have verified that she was operational and engaged in combat North of the Arctic Circle for about a month in early 1940 in two fjords near Narvik. She was also on Arctic Convoy CU 55 and at least one other.