Untitled

Military Bio:

Michael Kolanik Sr. a natural born american ( born Rankin, pa ,10/19/13) had gone to work at his father’s farm in Poland in 1931 and was arrested by the Gestapo in 1939. The Germans noted he had been born in Pittsburgh, but declared him a stateless person in violation of the haig/geneva conventions as the USA/GERMANY were not at war until DEC,1941!, and held him in various pow/slave labor camps as a POW for six years. He was repatriated in 1945 and returned to the United States in Sept. of 1945. He worked as an AutoWorker and belonged to the UAW in No Tarrytown N.Y., local #664 gmad-uaw. Michael passed away in 1992 and was never granted any recognition or compensation (by any govt) or for his sacrifices by the U.S. govt because of his civilian status. His Son Michael Jr. a vietnam/veteran-( 1st avn/bde 1968-69 rvn ) has been working for 8 years to gain some type of recognition for his fathers sacrifice of (66)months in various Nazi Camps during WW11. (see documentation)

To Patriotic and Concerned Americans and Fellow AXPOW Members:

I wish to introduce myself, Michael Kolanik, Jr., a Vietnam Veteran born in Yonkers, NY. My units in country were the 1st Avn. Bde, 12th Cmbt AVNGP, 162nd AVN. Co. (Aslt Hel Co.), 11th/214th CAB. But I write today specifically to tell you of my seven (7) years of trying to recognize my late father’s 66 months of Nazi imprisonment in occupied Europe during WWII, September 1939 to April 1945 (ETO). His sacrifice and courage still today, (after his death September 20, 1992), remains unrecognized.

As a natural born American born October 19, 1913 in Rankin, PA (Pittsburgh School District of Braddock), he returned to his ancestral homeland of Poland in 1931 after his father’s untimely death to run his family farm. This was done with the full knowledge and consent of an American living overseas or what the State Dept. terms “Prolonged Residence/Overseas of American Citizens.” But in September 1939 the Nazis termed my father “a Stateless Pole, born in Pittsburgh” and deported him to Nazi Germany as a “slave laborer.

My documents to U.S. Rep. Nita M. Lowey (18th-CD-NY) include the extension of the Herrmann Goering/Work Camp at “Flossen Burgh” and the forced labor camp at Erken Schwicke, Fursteung IV, liberated by the 5th INF/Div. on April 1, 1945. But my father’s legacy was that:

1. He was not captured on American soil and therefore not eligible for even token compensation under the 1984 War Rights Act administered by the U.S. Department of Labor as Americans captured in the Pacific by the Japanese Imperial Army received including medical benefits. He received none!
2. Not considered a Holocaust victim by not being either one of the Jewish faith, homosexual, Gypsy, member of the German Reform Party or member of the Performing Arts personally persecuted by Hitler. What do you call his imprisonment??
3. Having died in 1992, prior to the present 1995 “final agreement on war reparations between Germany/USA Government. This agreement does not include next of kin or estates even though the archives show in 1951 my father was on record as a survivor? How could this present administration agree to this?
4. Not a military POW under Title #38 and was not eligible for a mere flag for the coffin or marker for the gravesite!

I have written to President Clinton for an Executive Order to recognize my father’s sacrifice of 66 (sixty-six) months in Nazi Camps – this has been refused by the President! Only a private bill can correct this situation. Therefore, as a Vietnam Veteran I implore your support to have my father’s sacrifice properly recognized for perhaps being one of America’s longest held civilian internees of WWII.

I have the support of the following organizations:

1. Vietnam Veterans of America, George Duggins/Nat’l President V.V.A.
2. Vietnam Veterans of America, Bob Necci-MIA/POW Coordinator V.V.A.
3. Vietnam Veterans of America, Tim Brown-Member at Large, Nat’l BD-V.V.A.
4. Vietnam Veterans of America, Dan Griffin, Chapter 49 President, V.V.A. Westchester County, NYS
5. Mayor of the City of Yonkers-Hon. John Spencer.
6. Yonkers City Council President, Hon. Vinnie Restiano.
7. Concurrent Resolution City of Yonkers #322-01996 (passed 7-0).
8. Westchester County Vets Memorial Comm. Hon. Richard Dwyer, Chairman.
9. Westchester County Legislator- Hon. Bernice Speckman.
10. Polish Legion of American Veterans/USA.

I implore and urgently need your support to make my father’s recognition a reality. I note also that no letters should be written to the State Department or Veterans Administration, as they have no jurisdiction under Title #38, US Code.

My only hope is a private bill on the floor of the Congress or a redirect of an Executive Order from the President who has chosen not to be sympathetic to this because there are no other alternatives!

It is clear perhaps then that only a private bill can provide me with simple justice, as the VA cannot! To recognize honor and properly cite the patriotism of my late father, one Michael Kolanik, Sr. an American of natural birth living in Poland at the time of the 1939 onslaught who was unlawfully held as a “Slave Laborer” for the entire duration of WWII by the Nazis.

I point out that Germany/USA did not enter hostilities until December 8, 1941!!! What were Americans doing in German POW camps prior to December 8, 1941 such as Michael Kolanik, Sr.???

Sixty years later, no one can answer me. Sixty years later, this Vietnam Veteran still seeks justice. You as patriotic and concerned Americans can make a difference by supporting me in this effort. My efforts now are seven (7) years ongoing.

Life Member: Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #49, Weschester Co. NYS., Dan Griffin, President (914) 682-4949 (Phone/Fax), P.O. Box 224, Pleasantville, NY 10570. AXPOW Life Member #30628.

Most sincerely yours,
Michael Kolanik, Jr.
A Vietnam Veteran seeking justice for his late father.

My Message to Future Generations:

In the years To Come, may I hope that some day the forgotten American (the civilian ex-pow)will be honored and remembered by this grateful nation that sometimes cares more for the people/plight of other nations who have not contibuted to the cause and defense of liberty and justice for all. To Patriotic and Concerned Americans and Fellow AXPOW Members: I wish to introduce myself, Michael Kolanik, Jr., a Vietnam Veteran born in Yonkers, NY. My units in country were the 1st Avn. Bde, 12th Cmbt AVNGP, 162nd AVN. Co. (Aslt Hel Co.), 11th/214th CAB. But I write today specifically to tell you of my seven (7) years of trying to recognize my late father’s 66 months of Nazi imprisonment in occupied Europe during WWII, September 1939 to April 1945 (ETO). His sacrifice and courage still today, (after his death September 20, 1992), remains unrecognized. As a natural born American born October 19, 1913 in Rankin, PA (Pittsburgh School District of Braddock), he returned to his ancestral homeland of Poland in 1931 after his father’s untimely death to run his family farm. This was done with the full knowledge and consent of an American living overseas or what the State Dept. terms “Prolonged Residence/Overseas of American Citizens.” But in September 1939 the Nazis termed my father “a Stateless Pole, born in Pittsburgh” and deported him to Nazi Germany as a “slave laborer. My documents to U.S. Rep. Nita M. Lowey (18th-CD-NY) include the extension of the Herrmann Goering/Work Camp at “Flossen Burgh” and the forced labor camp at Erken Schwicke, Fursteung IV, liberated by the 75th INF/Div. on April 1, 1945. But my father’s legacy was that: (1.) He was not captured on American soil and therefore not eligible for even token compensation under the 1984 War Rights Act administered by the U.S. Department of Labor as Americans captured in the Pacific by the Japanese Imperial Army received including medical benefits. He received none! (2.) Not considered a Holocaust victim by not being either one of the Jewish faith, homosexual, Gypsy, member of the German Reform Party or member of the Performing Arts personally persecuted by Hitler. What do you call his imprisonment?? (3.) Having died in 1992, prior to the present 1995 “final agreement on war reparations between Germany/USA Government. This agreement does not include next of kin or estates even though the archives show in 1951 my father was on record as a survivor? How could this present administration agree to this? (4). Not a military POW under Title #38 and was not eligible for a mere flag for the coffin or marker for the gravesite! I have written to President Clinton for an Executive Order to recognize my father’s sacrifice of 66 (sixty-six) months in Nazi Camps – this has been refused by the President! Only a private bill can correct this situation. Therefore, as a Vietnam Veteran I implore your support to have my father’s sacrifice properly recognized for perhaps being one of America’s longest held civilian internees of WWII. I have the support of the following organizations: 1. Vietnam Veterans of America, George Duggins/Nat’l President V.V.A. 2. Vietnam Veterans of America, Bob Necci-MIA/POW Coordinator V.V.A. 3. Vietnam Veterans of America, Tim Brown-Member at Large, Nat’l BD-V.V.A. 4. Vietnam Veterans of America, Dan Griffin, Chapter 49 President, V.V.A. Westchester County, NYS 5. Mayor of the City of Yonkers-Hon. John Spencer. 6. Yonkers City Council President, Hon. Vinnie Restiano. 7. Concurrent Resolution City of Yonkers #322-01996 (passed 7-0). 8. Westchester County Vets Memorial Comm. Hon. Richard Dwyer, Chairman. 9. Westchester County Legislator- Hon. Bernice Speckman. 10. Polish Legion of American Veterans/USA.-Gene S. Hentkowski-Natl Legislative Dir.( Res# 98-63-M Kolanik, SR) I implore and urgently need your support to make my father’s recognition a reality. I note also that no letters should be written to the State Department or Veterans Administration, as they have no jurisdiction under Title #38, US Code. My only hope is a private bill on the floor of the Congress or a redirect of an Executive Order from the President who has chosen not to be sympathetic to this because there are no other alternatives! It is clear perhaps then that only a private bill can provide me with simple justice, as the VA cannot! To recognize honor and properly cite the patriotism of my late father, one Michael Kolanik, Sr. an American of natural birth living in Poland at the time of the 1939 onslaught who was unlawfully held as a “Slave Laborer” for the entire duration of WWII by the Nazis. I point out that Germany/USA did not enter hostilities until December 8, 1941!!! What were Americans doing in German POW camps prior to December 8, 1941 such as Michael Kolanik, Sr.??? Sixty years later, no one can answer me. Sixty years later, this Vietnam Veteran still seeks justice. You as patriotic and concerned Americans can make a difference by supporting me in this effort. My efforts now are seven (7) years ongoing. Life Member: Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #49, Weschester Co. NYS., Dan Griffin, President (914) 682-4949 (Phone/Fax), P.O. Box 224, Pleasantville, NY 10570. AXPOW Life Member #30628.( NOK/ Civilian-Ex POW CETO/M Kolanik SR) Most sincerely yours, Michael Kolanik, Jr. A Vietnam Veteran seeking justice for his late father.

Last Name: ` KOLANIK	First Name Middle Initial: MICHAEL		Nick Name: mikey
Street: 255 Fieldston Terr 3L-apt 3l	City & State: Bronx, NY		E-Mail: mkolanik@metcal.com
Zip: 10471-3064	Phone: (914 )966-5254		Spouse: ANNA (nee wirchansky)
Conflict: World War II	Service Branch: Civilian		Unit:
Theater: ETO	Where Captured: Poland		Date Captured: 9/19/39
Camps Held In: civilian work camps-silesiaobernigk,linzen-1939herman goering camp#4-regensburgh 1940/43erkenschwicke zache ewald fortsetzung 1943-45 liberated 75 inf/div april 1, 1945			How Long Interned: 2021 days
liberated / repatriated: Repatriated	Date Liberated: 4/1/45		Age at Capture: 26
Medals Received:
Military Job: Farmer		Company: GM Auto /UAW Member -local #664-ny
Occupation after War: Auto Worker


Michael Kolanik Sr.	German Prison ID Card