Franciszek Gajowniczek
Polish Army officer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Franciszek Gajowniczek (15 November 1901 – 13 March 1995) was a Polish army sergeant whose life was saved at the Auschwitz concentration camp by Catholic priest Maximilian Kolbe, who volunteered to die in his place.
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Franciszek Gajowniczek | |
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Born | (1901-11-15)15 November 1901 |
Died | 13 March 1995(1995-03-13) (aged 93) |
Burial place | Niepokalanów |
Nationality | Polish |
Known for | Maximilian Kolbe sacrificed himself to save Gajowniczek |
Spouses |
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Children | 2 sons, killed 1945 |
Military career | |
Allegiance | Poland |
Service/ | Army |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit | 36th Infantry Regiment |
Battles/wars |
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Gajowniczek had been sent to Auschwitz concentration camp from a Gestapo prison in Tarnów. He was captured while crossing the border into Slovakia after the defeat of the Modlin Fortress during the 1939 invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany. Gajowniczek survived the war and afterward became a lay missionary, dedicating his life to spreading the story of Kolbe's sacrifice.