During the month of January, the 64th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Technician 5th Grade, Felix S. Witkowicz, who served in the United States Army, participating in both D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.
Witkowicz was born in New Bedford on September 10, 1918, the youngest child of Leon and Antonina (Kocur) Witkowicz. His family later moved to Fairhaven.
Although Felix earned his high school diploma from Fairhaven High School, he missed receiving it. Instead, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps during the recruitment period to help support his mother and siblings. He served as a leader in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Army Corps of Engineers Division for four years.
Felix S. Witkowicz, WWII Veteran
According to his obituary, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and was assigned as a Rifleman and Quartermaster to the 616th Ordinance Ammunition Company, 5th Engineer Special Brigade, Combat Engineers Amphibious Forces.
Then on June 6, 1944, on D-Day, Felix serving as a Squad Leader, landed on Omaha Beach. His mission was to disarm mines and remove obstacles, ensuring safer passage for American tanks and troops, according to a story by WBSM on Oct. 31, 2012.
Later, Witkowicz was integrated with Company C 301st Infantry Division. He, along with other men, volunteered to fight in the Battle of Bulge under General George Patton’s command. Felix was assigned to the 94th Infantry Division for 16 months, in which he was promoted to Technician 5th Grade.
His obituary stated, “For his efforts in the face of great adversity, Felix was awarded the Bronze Star.” He was also awarded the Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, the Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp, the American Theatre Campaign Ribbon, The Honorable Service Lapel Button, the Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and the Bronze Arrowhead.
On August 17, 2010, at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum, Witkowicz was awarded France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor, the highest military award bestowed by the French Government. Then-Mayor, Scott Lang, also presented him with Citations from the City of New Bedford and the New Bedford City Council. Former Senator, John Kerry and former Congressmen, Barney Frank presented him with an American Flag which had been flown over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
In 2011, Felix was awarded a Golden Anniversary Diploma from Fairhaven High School, since he was not present to receive it upon graduation.
Felix S. Witkowicz passed away on October 27, 2012, at the age of 94. Seven months later, on May 26, 2013, a Meditation Garden known as the “Garden of Contemplation,” was dedicated in memory of Witkowicz, by the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Historical Association, Inc. A bench with his name on it was placed facing the Atlantic Ocean for veterans and family members to go to contemplate. Janice Ragazzo, the daughter of Felix Witkowicz, spoke during the dedication ceremony. “To understand this Garden, you must understand a soldier…He is not just a number on a casualty list. He is unique, he must be remembered and heard.”
According to a story published by the Fairhaven Neighborhood News, Witkowicz’s children explained that their father told his war stories over and over, especially retelling two specific incidents that haunted him. One when he was unable to retrieve a fallen comrade and one about a comrade who slipped from his grasp on the beach in Normandy. The man on the beach, Private Isbell, was found and his name is on a monument at Omaha Beach. However, the other man was not found, and “it was the soul of this second man that lingered with Felix to his death,” his daughter, Janice told the group gathered during the dedication.
Ragazzo, continued “This isn’t the story about Felix S. Witkowicz, in my eyes, he was the messenger, a symbol of all the men in our country’s armed forces who suffer. He became the voice for those who died. Those young men in their 20s and 30s, who served but didn’t return home with an opportunity of starting a family and being able to enjoy a long life. Felix’s mind and heart wouldn’t allow him to leave these soldiers behind on the battlefield and neither should we. It’s because of him I remember.”
Witkowicz was employed by Morse Twist and Drill and Machine Company for 39 years. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Bedford, where he served as an usher and a past director of the Catholic Charities Appeal. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Adam Mickiewciz Club, the Polish Benefit and Social Society, and the Polish–American World War Veteran’s Association.
Felix Witkowicz was married to his wife, the late Mary (Osenkowski) Witkowicz for 67 years. They had five children: Felix J of Missouri (deceased), Stas’ and his wife Terri of Connecticut, Mary Anne Polchlopek and her husband Walter of Fairhaven, Leon and his wife Nancy of Florida, Janice Ragazzo and her husband Tony of New York, eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He will long be remembered for his love of God, Family, and Country.
Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@empirefordinc.com.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: January Veteran Flag honors WWII Veteran Felix S. Witkowicz