A Polish Monte Casino Group, to Strzelec Szeregowiec (Rifleman Private) Mieczyslaw Kraskowski, 12th Geographic Company, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division, 2nd Polish Corps, British 8th Army ; Poland (Republic); Cross of Merit, 3rd Class with Swords (bronze, 41.2 mm x 59.8 mm inclusive of its crossed swords suspension); Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino 1944 (bronze, service number impressed "47" over "467" (47467) on the reverse, 41 mm); Military Cross of the Polish Armed Forces in the West 1939-1945, 1 Clasp - MONTE CASSINO (silvered bronze, 43 mm); Great Britain: 1939-1945 Star (bronze, 38 mm x 44 mm); Italy Star (bronze, 38 mm x 44 mm); Defence Medal (silver, 36 mm); and War Medal 1939-1945 (silver, 36 mm). Extremely fine. Accompanied by a 12th Geographic Company Badge (silvered bronze with light blue, white and black enamels, 42.7 mm, maker marked "CASTELLI GEROSA S.A. MILANO" on the bronze gilt screwback, intact enamels); a 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Badge (silver, marked "800" (silver) and marked "WIARA-WYTRWAŁOŚĆ-ZWYCIESTWO (Faith-Perseverance-Victory) on the reverse, 39.5 mm x 43.5 mm, maker marked "F.M. LORIOLI MILANO ROMA" on the screwback); a Polish Army Eagle Cap Badge (die-stamped silvered bronze, unmarked, 34.3 mm x 53.5 mm, one of two prongs intact, the other is present but has broken off).
Two 8th British Army Patches (one in rolled copper wire with white embroidery on a black wool base, red cotton backer, 55 mm x 55 mm; the other is white and yellow embroidery on a black wool base, black cotton mesh backer, 49 mm x 64 mm); a 2nd Polish Corps Patch (white embroidered insignia on a red felt base, 42 mm x 50 mm); two 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Patches (small version in red, white and green embroidery, white cotton mesh backer, 40 mm x 50 mm; large version in white and green embroidery, on a red and white felt base, white cotton mesh backer, 53 mm x 64 mm); two Poland Shoulder Flashes (white embroidered lettering on a red felt base, khaki cotton mesh backer, 21 mm x 80 mm and 23 mm x 83 mm); along with a binder containing: thirteen photographs (ten are black and white: seven are of Second War vintage, two are post war, two of artillery pieces in a museum; the other two are in colour with the veteran wearing his medals; in various sizes).
His Travel Document (hardcovered, marked "TRAVEL DOCUMENT (Agreement of 15th October, 1946)" in English and French on the cover, black and white photo of Kraskowski embossed with the Home Office stamp, May 22, 1951 date stamped by His Majesty's Chief Inspector Immigration Branch of the Home Office, Kraskowski residing in Preston, Lancashire at the time, with additional stamps: American Consul at Liverpool, England, dated December 10, 1951; Consulate of the United States of America at Liverpool, England; Immigration Officer at Southampton, England, marked "Embarked" and dated February 25, 1952; and United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service, marked "Admitted" and dated March 6, 1952 at New York, N.Y.; 105 mm x 151 mm); his Polish Armed Forces Certificate of Completion of Service (in Polish, named to Kraskowski, numbered "31413", confirming his completion date with the Polish Armed Forces as March 18, 1949, "Main Liquid Committee, Polish Armed Forces" stamped, signed and dated March 8, 1949 at London, 183 mm x 216 mm, fold marks); a Card Authorizing the Recipient to Wear the Cross of Merit, 3rd Class with Swords (in Polish, named to Kraskowski, numbered "1854", stamped, signed and dated August 21, 1947, 83 mm x 121 mm); a Card Authorizing the Recipient to Wear the Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino 1944 (in Polish, Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino on the front cover and the 2nd Polish Corps insignia on the back cover, named to Kraskowski, numbered "47467", signed and dated March 17, 1945, 69 mm x 102 mm); a Card Authorizing the Recipient to Wear the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Badge (in Polish, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division insignias on the front and back covers, numbered "20595", Infantry Division stamped, signed and dated December 19, 1945, 65 mm x 97 mm); two Cards Authorizing the Recipient to Wear the 12th Geographic Company Badge (in Polish, 12th Geographic Company insignia flanked by the British 8th Army and 2nd Polish Corps insignias on the front cover, named to Kraskowski, numbered "116" and "250" respectively, the latter 12th Geographic Company stamped, both are signed and dated October 22, 1946, 76 mm x 103 mm each).
A Certificate Card Entitling the Recipient the Right to Wear British Decorations (in Polish, British 8th Army and 2nd Polish Corps insignias on the front cover, named to Kraskowski, numbered "181/Geog.", dated March 30, 1946, entitling him to wear the 1939-1945 Star and the Italy Star, 70 mm x 102 mm); a Polish Combatants' Association Membership Card (in English, Polish and French, Polish Combatants' Association insignia on the cover, named to Kraskowski, stamped "Polish Combatants' Association in Great Britain" and numbered "948", 72 mm x 101 mm); his United States Social Security Account Number Card (numbered "090-28-6613", addressed to Mieczyslaw Kraskowski /
580 Blake Avenue / Brooklyn 7, New York", 47 mm x 83 mm); a Letter from the Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, Deputy Director of Survey, Eighth Army (obverse in English, reverse in Polish and named to Kraskowski, general style letter, dated June 8, 1945, thanking and congratulating "all ranks of the Survey Service for the splendid work done throughout the whole Italian Campaign", 202 mm x 263 mm, fold marks); a Letter from the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States of America, Commodore Perry Chapter No. 197, Erie, Pennsylvania (addressed to Kraskowski in Erie, Pennsylvania, undated, awarding Kraskowski a "gift", 216 mm x 279 mm, fold marks); a Copy of a Certificate from His Polish Superiors Confirming His Participation in the 2nd Polish Corps (215 mm x 279 mm); his Divorce Document from the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, Pennsylvania (dated June 24, 1964, with Gold foil seal of the Court, finalizing Mieczyslaw Kraskowski's divorce from Natalie Kraskowski on the grounds of "desertion", 215 mm x 352 mm, fold marks); four issues of The Polish Review, Volume V (No. 19, June 7, 1945; No. 20, June 21, 1945; No. 22, July 4, 1945; No. 23, July 15, 1945; Illustrated Magazine Published by The Polish Review, Inc., with the assistance of the Polish Government Information Center, New York, N.Y., each with 16 pages in black ink, on a semi-gloss paper stock, 228 mm x 302 mm); and two Postcards (one of Monte Cassino: blue ink on a card stock, matte finish, obverse illustrating a line drawing of Monte Cassino, marked "Monte Cassino 18. V. 1944" (May 18, 1944) at the lower left and "Druk 12 Kompanii Geograficznej" (Printing Company 12 Geographical Company) at the lower right, reverse with a postcard style backer and without inscription, 90 mm x 139 mm; the other of Goldsmiths' College at New Cross, London, England: black and white on card stock, gloss finish, faded to a sepia-toned look, obverse illustrating a photo of Goldsmith's College, reverse addressed to Kraskowski at the Polish W.A. Camp in Newton, Devonshire, 88 mm x 138 mm).
Footnote: Strzelec Szeregowiec (Rifleman Private) Mieczyslaw Kraskowski (1897/156/111) was born on January 14, 1897 in Poland. He served in the 2nd Corps of the Polish Army from February 9, 1943 to March 18, 1947, as a member of the 12th Geographic Company, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division. He is credited with service during the Italian Campaign, as part of the British 8th Army. Kraskowski was described by his superiors as "loyal, hard working, of solid character, trustworthy and reliable", stating his conduct as "very good". For his Second World War service, he was awarded the Cross of Merit, 3rd Class with Swords in August 1947, the Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino 1944 in March 1945, the Military Cross of the Polish Armed Forces in the West 1939-1945 (postwar), the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Badge in December 1945 and the 12th Geographic Company Badge in October 1946. In addition, as part of the British 8th Army, he was awarded the 1939-1945 Star and the Italy Star in March 1946, and later, the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-1945. After the war, he entered the Polish Resettlement Corps at Preston, Devonshire, on March 19, 1947 and was a member of the Polish Combatants' Association in Great Britain. Kraskowski approached the Consulate of the United States of America in Liverpool, England in late 1951 about immigrating to the United States. His request was granted, with Kraskowski embarking from Southampton on February 25, 1952. He was admitted to the United States at New York, New York, on March 6th, living for a short time in Brooklyn, New York and eventually settling in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was married to Natalia Kraskowski, the couple later divorcing on June 24, 1964.
A Polish Monte Casino Group, to Strzelec Szeregowiec (Rifleman Private) Mieczyslaw Kraskowski, 12th Geographic Company, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division, 2nd Polish Corps, British 8th Army ; Poland (Republic); Cross of Merit, 3rd Class with Swords (bronze, 41.2 mm x 59.8 mm inclusive of its crossed swords suspension); Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino 1944 (bronze, service number impressed "47" over "467" (47467) on the reverse, 41 mm); Military Cross of the Polish Armed Forces in the West 1939-1945, 1 Clasp - MONTE CASSINO (silvered bronze, 43 mm); Great Britain: 1939-1945 Star (bronze, 38 mm x 44 mm); Italy Star (bronze, 38 mm x 44 mm); Defence Medal (silver, 36 mm); and War Medal 1939-1945 (silver, 36 mm). Extremely fine. Accompanied by a 12th Geographic Company Badge (silvered bronze with light blue, white and black enamels, 42.7 mm, maker marked "CASTELLI GEROSA S.A. MILANO" on the bronze gilt screwback, intact enamels); a 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Badge (silver, marked "800" (silver) and marked "WIARA-WYTRWAŁOŚĆ-ZWYCIESTWO (Faith-Perseverance-Victory) on the reverse, 39.5 mm x 43.5 mm, maker marked "F.M. LORIOLI MILANO ROMA" on the screwback); a Polish Army Eagle Cap Badge (die-stamped silvered bronze, unmarked, 34.3 mm x 53.5 mm, one of two prongs intact, the other is present but has broken off).
Two 8th British Army Patches (one in rolled copper wire with white embroidery on a black wool base, red cotton backer, 55 mm x 55 mm; the other is white and yellow embroidery on a black wool base, black cotton mesh backer, 49 mm x 64 mm); a 2nd Polish Corps Patch (white embroidered insignia on a red felt base, 42 mm x 50 mm); two 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Patches (small version in red, white and green embroidery, white cotton mesh backer, 40 mm x 50 mm; large version in white and green embroidery, on a red and white felt base, white cotton mesh backer, 53 mm x 64 mm); two Poland Shoulder Flashes (white embroidered lettering on a red felt base, khaki cotton mesh backer, 21 mm x 80 mm and 23 mm x 83 mm); along with a binder containing: thirteen photographs (ten are black and white: seven are of Second War vintage, two are post war, two of artillery pieces in a museum; the other two are in colour with the veteran wearing his medals; in various sizes).
His Travel Document (hardcovered, marked "TRAVEL DOCUMENT (Agreement of 15th October, 1946)" in English and French on the cover, black and white photo of Kraskowski embossed with the Home Office stamp, May 22, 1951 date stamped by His Majesty's Chief Inspector Immigration Branch of the Home Office, Kraskowski residing in Preston, Lancashire at the time, with additional stamps: American Consul at Liverpool, England, dated December 10, 1951; Consulate of the United States of America at Liverpool, England; Immigration Officer at Southampton, England, marked "Embarked" and dated February 25, 1952; and United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service, marked "Admitted" and dated March 6, 1952 at New York, N.Y.; 105 mm x 151 mm); his Polish Armed Forces Certificate of Completion of Service (in Polish, named to Kraskowski, numbered "31413", confirming his completion date with the Polish Armed Forces as March 18, 1949, "Main Liquid Committee, Polish Armed Forces" stamped, signed and dated March 8, 1949 at London, 183 mm x 216 mm, fold marks); a Card Authorizing the Recipient to Wear the Cross of Merit, 3rd Class with Swords (in Polish, named to Kraskowski, numbered "1854", stamped, signed and dated August 21, 1947, 83 mm x 121 mm); a Card Authorizing the Recipient to Wear the Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino 1944 (in Polish, Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino on the front cover and the 2nd Polish Corps insignia on the back cover, named to Kraskowski, numbered "47467", signed and dated March 17, 1945, 69 mm x 102 mm); a Card Authorizing the Recipient to Wear the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Badge (in Polish, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division insignias on the front and back covers, numbered "20595", Infantry Division stamped, signed and dated December 19, 1945, 65 mm x 97 mm); two Cards Authorizing the Recipient to Wear the 12th Geographic Company Badge (in Polish, 12th Geographic Company insignia flanked by the British 8th Army and 2nd Polish Corps insignias on the front cover, named to Kraskowski, numbered "116" and "250" respectively, the latter 12th Geographic Company stamped, both are signed and dated October 22, 1946, 76 mm x 103 mm each).
A Certificate Card Entitling the Recipient the Right to Wear British Decorations (in Polish, British 8th Army and 2nd Polish Corps insignias on the front cover, named to Kraskowski, numbered "181/Geog.", dated March 30, 1946, entitling him to wear the 1939-1945 Star and the Italy Star, 70 mm x 102 mm); a Polish Combatants' Association Membership Card (in English, Polish and French, Polish Combatants' Association insignia on the cover, named to Kraskowski, stamped "Polish Combatants' Association in Great Britain" and numbered "948", 72 mm x 101 mm); his United States Social Security Account Number Card (numbered "090-28-6613", addressed to Mieczyslaw Kraskowski /
580 Blake Avenue / Brooklyn 7, New York", 47 mm x 83 mm); a Letter from the Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, Deputy Director of Survey, Eighth Army (obverse in English, reverse in Polish and named to Kraskowski, general style letter, dated June 8, 1945, thanking and congratulating "all ranks of the Survey Service for the splendid work done throughout the whole Italian Campaign", 202 mm x 263 mm, fold marks); a Letter from the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States of America, Commodore Perry Chapter No. 197, Erie, Pennsylvania (addressed to Kraskowski in Erie, Pennsylvania, undated, awarding Kraskowski a "gift", 216 mm x 279 mm, fold marks); a Copy of a Certificate from His Polish Superiors Confirming His Participation in the 2nd Polish Corps (215 mm x 279 mm); his Divorce Document from the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, Pennsylvania (dated June 24, 1964, with Gold foil seal of the Court, finalizing Mieczyslaw Kraskowski's divorce from Natalie Kraskowski on the grounds of "desertion", 215 mm x 352 mm, fold marks); four issues of The Polish Review, Volume V (No. 19, June 7, 1945; No. 20, June 21, 1945; No. 22, July 4, 1945; No. 23, July 15, 1945; Illustrated Magazine Published by The Polish Review, Inc., with the assistance of the Polish Government Information Center, New York, N.Y., each with 16 pages in black ink, on a semi-gloss paper stock, 228 mm x 302 mm); and two Postcards (one of Monte Cassino: blue ink on a card stock, matte finish, obverse illustrating a line drawing of Monte Cassino, marked "Monte Cassino 18. V. 1944" (May 18, 1944) at the lower left and "Druk 12 Kompanii Geograficznej" (Printing Company 12 Geographical Company) at the lower right, reverse with a postcard style backer and without inscription, 90 mm x 139 mm; the other of Goldsmiths' College at New Cross, London, England: black and white on card stock, gloss finish, faded to a sepia-toned look, obverse illustrating a photo of Goldsmith's College, reverse addressed to Kraskowski at the Polish W.A. Camp in Newton, Devonshire, 88 mm x 138 mm).
Footnote: Strzelec Szeregowiec (Rifleman Private) Mieczyslaw Kraskowski (1897/156/111) was born on January 14, 1897 in Poland. He served in the 2nd Corps of the Polish Army from February 9, 1943 to March 18, 1947, as a member of the 12th Geographic Company, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division. He is credited with service during the Italian Campaign, as part of the British 8th Army. Kraskowski was described by his superiors as "loyal, hard working, of solid character, trustworthy and reliable", stating his conduct as "very good". For his Second World War service, he was awarded the Cross of Merit, 3rd Class with Swords in August 1947, the Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino 1944 in March 1945, the Military Cross of the Polish Armed Forces in the West 1939-1945 (postwar), the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Badge in December 1945 and the 12th Geographic Company Badge in October 1946. In addition, as part of the British 8th Army, he was awarded the 1939-1945 Star and the Italy Star in March 1946, and later, the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-1945. After the war, he entered the Polish Resettlement Corps at Preston, Devonshire, on March 19, 1947 and was a member of the Polish Combatants' Association in Great Britain. Kraskowski approached the Consulate of the United States of America in Liverpool, England in late 1951 about immigrating to the United States. His request was granted, with Kraskowski embarking from Southampton on February 25, 1952. He was admitted to the United States at New York, New York, on March 6th, living for a short time in Brooklyn, New York and eventually settling in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was married to Natalia Kraskowski, the couple later divorcing on June 24, 1964.