Veterans Day ~ The Kogutkiewicz Brothers

On this Veterans Day I want to talk about my husband's family, The Kogutkiewicz's. His grandparents Casimir and Josephine were Polish immigrants. All four of their living sons enlisted in World War II. I think of them every time I watch the movie "Saving Private Ryan" knowing that could have been them. In order to tell you about Sigmund, Leo, Eugene and Henry I feel I need to tell the family's story.

The parents of these 4 brave young men are Casimir and Josephine Kogutkiewicz both of whom immigrated to the United States in the early 1900's from Poland. Casimir arrived at Castle Garden, New York on April 13th, 1907 and listed his final destination as Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His wife Josephine, formerly Josephine Araszyn arrived in Pennsylvania in 1912. I am not sure how she migrated to Wisconsin yet. Tracing Casimir and Josephine through records has been challenge.  

Casimir and Josephine had 8 children. My father in law, Henry C. "Hank" Kogutkiewicz was the baby of the family. The eldest child was his only sister Valeria who was born on June 27th, 1915 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She married Bernard Rozwadowski (1912-1968) and they had 2 sons, Raymond (1936-1971) and John (1943-2010), Valeria died May 10th, 1997, one week before my mother in law, Ruth Butler Kogutkiewicz.  

Next in line was their eldest son, Roman W. Kogutkiewcz who was born on October 12th, 1916 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Roman enlisted the U.S. Army on December 5th, 1941, just 2 days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He enlisted at Fort Sheridan, Lake County, Illinois. I have found no records to indicate that Roman was married before he enlisted into the Army nor have I found any after the war either. Roman died on January 6th, 1973 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
                                             

We found Roman's funeral Mass Card in some of his Dad's things. 

The second eldest son, Sigmund Joseph Kogutkiewicz was born on November 11th, 1917 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sigmund enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 5th, 1942, one month after Roman. He also enlisted at Fort Sheridan, Lake County, Illinois. Sigmund married the former Stella Rychlewski (1920-2005) prior to July 1955. They have 3 sons, the oldest Dale (1955-2004) and for privacy reasons I cannot disclose their names. Sigmund died December 21st, 1988 in Milwaukee.

The next 2 sons in order of birth for Casimir and Josephine were infant deaths. I am not sure if Theodore, the 3rd son, was a premature birth or if he was perhaps a stillborn birth, I only have what information was provided by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries, which list his date of birth and death as September 15th, 1919 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The 4th son, Raymond, was born on September 6th, 1920 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and he died six months later on March 21st, 1921 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Getting access to Wisconsin birth, death and marriage records is difficult and expensive. Again, all the information I have at this time is the information I have founded was provided by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries.

The 5th son, of Casimir and Josephine is Leon Peter "Leo" Kogutkiewicz. He was born on December 3, 1921 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Leon enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 4th, 1945 also enlisted at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. At the time of his enlistment he was single with no dependents. Leo was married twice, first to the former Beatrice Ann Freimuth (1918-2002). Leo and his wife had 6 children. There first child was a baby girl born and died on July 15th, 1947 in Illinois. She is buried at the Fort Sheridan Cemetery. They also lost a son, Dennis who was born May 2nd, 1952 in Illinois and died April 26th, 1956 in Wisconsin just shy of his 4th birthday. There are 4 more sons and his second wife still living and for privacy reasons I cannot release their names. Leo worked at the U.S.
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home in Washington, DC. He passed away on August 9th, 1990. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

The 6th son of Casimir and Josephine, is Eugene Joe Kogutkiewicz. He was born on July 4th, 1924 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eugene enlisted in the US Army on April 9th, 1943. I have not been able to track down where he enlisted but I have his U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010, which lists his enlistment years. Eugene married the former Delores Fedorek (1925-2002). Leo died on January 1st, 2005 in Wisconsin. He and Delores had three children, the eldest son Leo Eugene Kogutkiewicz passed away on December 13th, 2010 in Wisconsin. There are still two living children and for privacy reasons I cannot release their names.

The 7th son of Casimir and Josephine is my father in law, Henry Casimir "Hank" Kogutkiewicz who was born on May 20th, 1926 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have not been able to track down his enlistment papers either so I don't know the exact date or place of enlistment. However, Hank spent 8 years in the Army and the Army Air Force serving not only in World War II but the Korean War too. Hank is the only brother who made his home outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

He met my mother in law while stationed in or near Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina. He married Ruth Orea Butler on April 7th, 1951 in Greensboro. Ruth was born on November 17th, 1925 in Guilford County, North Carolina. They raised 4 children a son came first, then identical twin girls and then my husband Tommy, the youngest boy. Hank was a machinist and worked for the Richardson-Vicks Manufacturing Co. for 37 years where he was a Development Engineer, in Greensboro and retired in 1991. He was a member of the American Legion Post 386, near his home as well. Hank died at home after a lengthy illness, 20 years ago today, on Veterans Day. His wife Ruth died on May 17th, 1997, they both died in Greensboro. My husband never really knew his grandparents, Casimir died the year before he was born and Josephine died the year after he was born.  

Tommy and I found these pictures in small black scrapbook that belonged to his father and the pictures inside were of his time during World War II.  Hank had stapled nearly all the pictures on to the pages within the scrapbook. 

In the far left top picture is a picture of his Dad, Hank on the right in France. Unfortunately, he didn't put names on the pictures so we have no clue who is in the picture with him.

The picture in the top right corner is a picture of Hank, his brother Leo and their parents, Casimir & Josephine Kogutkiewicz. 
In the bottom left corner is Hank's brother, Leo. In the bottom right corner is either a brother (maybe a brother in law) or friend but we don't know for sure.


Sources:

1. 1920 United States Census, Milwaukee City, Ward 12, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pop. schedule, enumeration district: 150, sheet no. 8-B, no dwelling no., family no.54, entry for the Casimir Kogutkiewicz family, database with images, Ancestry, (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015; National Archives, Washington, D.C., RG 29, T625, Roll 2002.
2. 1930 United States Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pop.schedule, enumeration district: 40-103, sheet nos. 16-B & 17-A, dwelling no. 12, family no. 20, entry for the Casimir Kogutkiewicz family, database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C., RG 29, T626, Roll 2588. 
3. 1940 United States Census, Milwaukee City, Ward 8, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pop. schedule, enumeration district: 72-195, family no. 20, sheet 1-B, entry for Casimir Kogutkiewicz family, database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C., RG 29, T627, Roll: 4548.
4. Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries, Saint Adalbert Cemetery and Mausoluem, database, (http://www.cemeteries.org/Cemeteries.htm : accessed 10 November 2015) entry for Casimir Kogutkiewicz, date of death: 14 September 1964; date of burial: 17 September 1964; Age: 74, Funeral Home: Kordy's, Section: 9, Block: 47, Row: 6, Lot: , Grave: 14.
5. Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries, Saint Adalbert Cemetery and Mausoluem, database, (http://www.cemeteries.org/Cemeteries.htm : accessed 10 November 2015) entry for Josephine Kogutkiewicz, date of death: 2 August 1966, date of burial: 6 August 1966, Age: 73, Funeral Home: Kordys, Section: 9, Block: 47, Row: 6, Lot: , Grave: 13.
6. Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries, Saint Adalbert Cemetery and Mausoluem, database, (http://www.cemeteries.org/Cemeteries.htm : accessed 10 November 2015) entry for Raymond Kogutkiewicz, date of death: not listed, date of burial 22 March 1921, Age: not listed, Funeral Home: not listed, Section: unknown, Block: 26, Row: 14, Lot: , Grave: 4. 
7. Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries, Saint Adalbert Cemetery and Mausoluem, database, (http://www.cemeteries.org/Cemeteries.htm : accessed 10 November 2015) entry for Roman Kogutkiewicz, date of death: 6 January 1973, date of burial: 9 January 1973, Age: 56, Funeral Home: Kordy's, Section: 6,
   Block: 52, Row: 19, Lot: , Grave: 36. 
8. Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries, Saint Adalbert Cemetery and Mausoluem, database, (http://www.cemeteries.org/Cemeteries.htm : accessed 10 November 2015) entry for Theodore Kogutkiewicz, date of death: not listed, date of burial: 17 September 1919, Age: not listed; Funeral Home: not listed, Section: unknown , Block: 7, Row: 23, Lot: , Grave: 34 
9. Castle Garden.org: America's First Immigration Center, untitled database, (www.castlegarden.org : accessed 10 November 2015) entry for Kasimir Kogutkiewicz, age 17, arrived 13 April 1907 aboard the Brandenburg.
10. FamilySearch, "North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZYP-KQP : 1 April 2012), entry for Ruth Oree Butler & Henry Kogutkiewicz, m. 7 April 1951.
11. Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=130746703 : 11 November 2015), memorial page for Casimir Kogutkiewicz (1890-1964), Find A Grave memorial no.:  13, 0746,703, memorial created by Dawn Kogutkiewicz; citing Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
12. Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=66064023 : 11 November 2015), memorial page for Eugene J. Kogutkiewicz (1924-2005), Find A Grave memorial no.: 66,064,023, memorial created by Jackie and Ralph; citing Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove, Racine, Wisconsin. 
13. Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=89680831 : 11 November 2015),  memorial page for Henry Casimer "Hank" Kogutkiewicz (1925-1995), Find A Grave memorial no.:  89,680,831, memorial created by Dawn Kogutkiewicz; citing Lakeview Memorial Park, Greensboro, Guilford, North Carolina.
14. Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=130746866 : 11 November 2015), memorial page for Josephine Araszyn Kogutkiewicz (1893-1966), Find A Grave memorial no.:
    130,746,866, memorial created by Dawn Kogutkiewicz; citing Saint Adalberts Cememtery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
15. Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=124984558 : 11 November 2015), memorial page for Leon Peter "Leo" Kogutkiewicz (1921-1990), Find A Grave memorial no.: 124,984,558, memorial created by Dawn Kogutkiewicz; citing Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia.
16. Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=130751688 : 11 November 2015), memorial page for Raymond Kogutkiewicz (1920-1921), Find A Grave memorial no.:  130,751,688, memorial created by Dawn Kogutkiewicz; citing Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
17. Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=130748204 : 11 November 2015), memorial for Roman W. Kogutkiewicz (1916-1973), Find A Grave memorial no:  130,748,204, memorial created by Dawn Kogutkiewicz; citing Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
18. Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=89680968 : 11November 2015), memorial page for Ruth Orea Butler Kogutkiewicz (1925-1997), Find A Grave memorial no.: 89,680,968, memorial created by Dawn Kogutkiewicz; citing Lakeview Memorial Park, Greensboro, Guilford, North Carolina. 
19. Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2914196 : 11 November 2015), memorial page for Sigmund J. Kogutkiewicz (1917-1988), Find A Grave memorial no.: 2,914,196, memorial imported by U.S. Veterans Affairs; citing Wood National Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
20. Finda A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=130751586 : 11 November 2015), memorial page for Theodore Kogutkiewicz (1919-1919), Find A Grave memorial no.: 130,751,586, memorial for Theodore Kogutkiewicz created by Dawn Kogutkiewicz; citing Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
21.  Find A Grave, database and images, (http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=130747027 : 11 November 2015), memorial for Valeria Kogutkiewicz Rozwadowski (1915-1997), Find A Grave memorial no.: 130,747,027, memorial created by Dawn Kogutkiewicz; citing Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
22. Funeral Mass Card for Roman Kogutkiewicz, Kogutkiewicz Family Collection, privately held by Thomas & Dawn Kogutkiewicz, [address for private use], Elgin, South Carolina, 2015. Two-sided, paper funeral card, from SS. Cyril & Methodius Church and Kordy's Funeral Home, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, distributed at the funeral of Roman Kogutkiewicz, 9 January 1973, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Inherited from Henry C. Kogutkiewicz, brother of Roman Kogutkiewicz.
23. North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004, database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for Henry Casimer Kogutkiewicz, d. 11 November 1995; North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. 
24. North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004, database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for Ruth Butler Kogutkiewicz, d. 17 May 1997;  North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. North Caroline Deaths, 1997-2004. North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, Raleigh, North Carolina.
25. North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011, database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for Henry Kogutkiewicz & Ruth Oree Butler, m. 7 April 1951; North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.
26. U.S. Social Security Administration, "Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014", database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015), entry for Henry C. Kogutkiewicz, no. 388-20-1302, issue state: Wisconsin before 1951; citing Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.
27. U.S. Social Security Administration, "Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014", database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015), entry for Eugene Joe Kogutkiewicz, no. not listed, issue state: Wisconsin before 1951; citing Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.
28. U.S. Social Security Administration, "Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014", database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015), entry for Leon P. Kogutkiewicz,  no. 396-38-0138; issue state: Wisconsin (1956-1958); citing Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.
29. U.S. Social Security Administration, "Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014", database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015), entry for Roman W. Kogutkiewicz, no.394-09-3746, issue state: Wisconsin before 1951; citing Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration. 
30. U.S. Social Security Administration, "Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014", database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015), entry for Ruth Butler Kogutkiewicz, no. 245-30-3362, issue state: North Carolina before 1951;  citing Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.
31. U.S. Social Security Administration, "Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014", database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015), entry for Sigmund J. Kogutkiewicz, no. 395-09-4064, issue state: Wisconsin before 1951; citing Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.
32. U.S. Social Security Administration, "Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014", database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015), entry for Valeria L. Rozwadowski, no. 390-12-6308, issue state: Wisconsin before 1951; citing Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.
33. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for  Leon P. Kogutkiewicz, enlisted 4 December 1945, Illinois; citing Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Adminstration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park. College Park, Maryland, U.S.A.
34. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for Roman W. Kogutkiewicz, enlisted 5 December 1941, Illinois; citing Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Adminstration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park. College Park, Maryland, U.S.A. 
35. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for  Sigmund J. Kogutkiewicz, enlisted 5 January 1942, Illinois; citing Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Adminstration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park. College Park, Maryland, U.S.A. 
36. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997, database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for Casimir Kogutkiewicz, certificate no. 027399; Wisconsin Vital Records Office. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-67, 1969-97. Madison, Wisconsin.
37. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997, database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for  Josephine Kogutkiewicz, certificate no. 024882; Wisconsin Vital Records Office. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-67, 1969-97. Madison, Wisconsin.
38. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997, database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for Roman Kogutkiewicz, certificate no. 002203; Wisconsin Vital Records Office. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-67, 1969-97. Madison, Wisconsin.
39. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997, database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for  Sigmund Joseph Kogutkiewicz, certificate no. 207081; Wisconsin Vital Records Office. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-67, 1969-97. Madison, Wisconsin.
40. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997, database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 10 November 2015) entry for Valeria Lottie Rozwadowski, certificate no. 202287; Wisconsin Vital Records Office. Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-67, 1969-97. Madison, Wisconsin.