Władysław Grydziuszko

Władysław Grydziuszko (1910–1946) was a soldier in the Polish Army during World War II. He served as a tank commander and was awarded the Cross of Valour for his actions during the Battle of Monte Cassino.

Early life and military service Władysław Grydziuszko was born on September 6, 1910, in the small rural village of Mikulicze, Poland. Prior to military service, Grydziuszko worked as a master tailor until he was enlisted with the Polish Forces in 1939.

Battle at Monte Cassino At Monte Cassino, the Polish Army was advancing against the Hitler Line, During the battle, Grydziuszko was lightly wounded on October 17, 1944, and suffered minor spinal cord injuries from Nazi artillery fire. However, he quickly recovered and returned to the forces to serve for another two years.

Other war efforts Theater of Operations Country Dates Invasion of Poland Poland September 1–20, 1939 Held prisoner of war USSR Released July 30, 1941 Action in Middle East and Training Palestine Egypt

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Iraq 1942–1944 Action on the Rivers Sangro and Gari (river) Italy February 15 - April 4, 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino Italy April 24 - May 31, 1944 Battle for Ancona Italy June 1 - September 9, 1944 Action in the Northern Apennines Italy October 10 - December 20, 1944 – 1945 Action on River Senio Italy January 13 - April 8, 1945 Battle for Bologna Italy April 9 - May 2, 1945

Death and aftermath Following the end of World War II, Władysław Grydziuszko was killed in an accident near Treia, Macerata, in Italy on January 29, 1946. During a routine 2nd Armoured Brigade (Poland) training period, Władysław was killed when he fell underneath one of his tanks breaking his spine at the neck. The military considered his death "Killed in Action" (KIA) because he was on duty. His death was instantaneous, and soon afterward there was a memorial service held in his honor. Some 400 soldiers attended his funeral, and he was buried in the Polish cemetery in Loreto, Italy on January 30, 1946. The two witnesses of his death were a future Polish politician named Zygmunt Ostrowski :pl:Zygmunt Ostrowski and Michał Matusiewicz.

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