Tue Feb 09 2010
by Jaime Gerard
Editor
"Rendezvous with destiny."
101st Airborne motto
Tallmadge -- Henry S. "Hank" Skowronski had his rendezvous with destiny, by way of his past, when he was presented with the French Knight of the Legion of Honor medal at Tallmadge's 55th Veterans Day program Nov. 11.
The U.S. Army veteran and member of the 101st Airborne's "Screaming Eagles," told those gathered at the Historic Church on Tallmadge Circle "I feel honored, I feel humbled to receive this medal, and I do so on behalf of all the [military personnel] in France on D-Day who fought for the liberation of Europe though 1945.
"The true heroes, "Skowronski added, "are those who lost their lives during World War II. I accept this medal on their behalf as well."
The process to award Skowronski the prestigious medal -- the highest decoration bestowed by the Republic of France -- actually began two years ago when the French government asked the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for help identifying qualified U.S. veterans for consideration. Previous military awards indicating meritorious actions during combat operations were among the qualifications.
In March, Skowronski received a letter from the U.S. Ambassador to France in Washington, D.C., naming him a "Chevalier" or Knight of the Legion of Honor.
The ambassador wrote: "The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon in 1802 to acknowledge service rendered to France by persons of great merit. The French people will never forget your courage and devotion to the great cause of freedom."
In October, Skowronski received a letter from the French Consulate in Chicago, which read in part: "It is a great honor and privilege to present you with the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal. Through this award, the French government pays tribute to the soldiers who did so much for France and Western Europe. More than 65 years ago, you gave your youth to France and the French people. Many of your fellow soldiers did not return, but they remain in our hearts. Thanks to the courage of these soldiers, to our American friends and Allies, France has been living in peace for the past six decades. They saved us and we will never forget. I want you to know that for us, the French people, they are heroes. You, Mr. Skowronski, are among these heroes."
A letter sent from the French Consulate in March informed Skowronski he had several options for receiving the medal. He asked to have it sent directly to his home. It arrived in October, and on Veterans Day, his stepgrandson, 1995 Tallmadge High School graduate Matt Whitworth, a U.S. Army captain and fellow member of the 101st Airborne, presented Skowronski with the medal.
"This recognition is long overdue," noted Whitworth.
Calling Skowronski "one of Tallmadge's finest heroes," Whitworth spoke of his participation in such "storied" World War II battles as D-Day, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge, and of his many citations, including two Purple Hearts, two Presidential Unit emblems, a POW medal and the French Croix de Guerre.
"For the Screaming Eagles of the past, present and future," Whitworth added, "we are proud to walk in your footsteps."
The badge of the Legion is a five-armed Maltese Cross of sorts, in silver and enameled white, with an enameled laurel and oak wreath between the arms. The obverse central disc is gilt, featuring the head of Marianne (the national emblem of the French Republic), surrounded by the legend "Republique Francaise" on a blue enamel ring. The reverse central disc is also gilt, with a set of crossed tricolores (French flags). It hangs from a red ribbon.
Military career
Skowronski was born in Cleveland in 1925 and was a member of the camera club at Collinwood High School when he enlisted in the Army June 6, 1943, days before his June 14 graduation. He was 19.
June 6 would continue to play a recurring role in his military career, as it was D-Day, in 1944, when he parachuted into Normandy, and in 1945, it was the day he was shipped home from Europe.
Skowronski was assigned to the 326th Medical Company of the 101st Airborne Division. From June to December 1944, he participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland campaigns. He was wounded and taken prisoner Dec. 17, 1944 in Belgium. He worked as a medic and X-ray technician caring for Allied prisoners. He and his fellow POWs were liberated in April 1945. He spent 10 days in a hospital, where he was treated for pleurisy (walking pneumonia) and shrapnel injuries before returning home.
In addition to the Legion of Honor, Skowronski was also recently awarded the Bronze Star, a U.S. Armed Forces individual military decoration awarded for bravery, acts of merit or meritorious service.
On the homefront
Back in Ohio, Skowronski graduated from John Carroll University, embarking on a career as a pharmaceutical representative with Lakeside Labs.
Bored with the routine, Skowronski took his sales savvy to Robert Hall Clothes, with local stores in Cleveland, Akron and Tallmadge, where he worked in sales and as a district manager for more than 22 years.
He moved to Tallmadge in 1957, and during his first marriage, raised two daughters, MaryBeth, who lives in Macedonia, and Debbie, who lives in Bath.
After his stint in the clothing trade, Skowronski switched gears, working in jewelry sales for the Zales Co. for 20 years. Following his 1997 retirement, he worked part-time at Thomas Lake Jewelry in Cuyahoga Falls, where he designed as well as sold, jewelry.
Active in the Tallmadge American Legion, Kneil-Lawrentz Post 255 for more than 40 years, Skowronski currently holds the title of service officer. He and his bride of more than six years, Rose, enjoy traveling and are active with the Tallmadge Primetimers and in their parish, Our Lady of Victory Church, where Skowronski is head usher. He has also served as a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Chapter 5613, twice.
Of late, Skowronski has involved himself with Warrior's Journey Home, a non-political, non-sectarian ministry sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, which provides advocacy and fellowship for veterans, those currently serving in the military and their families.
"Hank has only been a member of Warrior's Journey Home for a short while, but he is quickly becoming a respected elder of our group," said the Rev. Dr. John Schluep, senior pastor, First Congregational Church of Tallmadge. "Hank has provided tremendous guidance as a mentor to our young veterans; offering sage advice with wisdom and insight."
As an elder, Skowronski said he tries to console veterans, helping them deal with the vagaries of war and their "reabsorbtion" into civilian life.
In this way, Skowronski brings his dedication and service to the military full-circle.
Editor's note: For more information and photos on Tallmadge's 55th Veterans Day program, see the Nov. 22 edition of the Tallmadge Express.
E-mail: jgerard@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3912
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