Richard Robert Piotrowski

A Tribute to the Life of Richard Robert Piotrowski (uncle of Bruce B. Borowicz, Veterans Voices member):

Richard was born August 10, 1926 in Chicago, IL, to John and Clara.  He attended Gage Park High School and played football until he decided to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. He left school at the age of 17 to unselfishly defend our country.  Not being of legal age, he persuaded his mother to sign for him to join the U.S. Navy.  His mother was not in favor of his decision but supported him. 

He enlisted on Nov. 26, 1943, and trained at Great Lakes Naval Station.  He served on the following vessels: NTS G.L. IL, ATB LIDO Beach NY, USS LST 499, LCT FLOT 17, USBNA Chicago, IL and the IND MAN USN 9nd CHI. 

Richard was part of Operation Overlord (WW II) invasion of Normandy.  The invasion began on June 6, 1944 and continued through mid-July, 1944.  During his deployment his main responsibilities were in the boiler room on a navy destroyer.   He served as a Motor Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class.  

During his service he received the following medals: Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Metal and the European African Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal.  Rich was very proud of his service and shared his medals, uniforms and pictures of friends that survived and those that became casualties of the war.  Rich spoke of the kindness of the French that took him in and supplied home cooked meals and friendship during his stay.  He witnessed many devastating events that stayed with him throughout his life and shaped him as a man.  He did not talk much about the devastation but would often become sullen discussing the war.  Until his death he never wavered about his decision to defend our country and prayed for military personnel.

He was honorably discharged on May 16, 1946.  He died on Sept. 8, 2008 and was buried at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery on Sept. 12, 2008.