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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Local veteran honored by allied nation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  A local veteran received long overdue recognition for what he did for the United States and her allies during World War II.

Last month, Niagara Falls native, Mr. Leo Ciskiewicz a U.S. Navy Gunners' Mate was awarded the Russian Jubilee Medal commemorating "65 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945" .

During the war, then U.S. Navy Petty Officer Ciskiewicz was part of a distinct group of sailors who performed specialized naval operations all over the world.

According to their website, the U.S. Navy Armed Guard was the branch of the United States Navy that was responsible for defending U.S. and Allied merchant ships from attack by enemy aircraft, submarines and surface ships during World War II.
The men of the Armed Guard served as gunners, signal men and radio operators on cargo ships, tankers, troop ships and other merchant vessels.

A total of 144,970 enlisted men and officers served in the U.S. Navy Armed Guard during World War II. They sailed on 6,236 merchant ships, including Allied vessels.

"We took any cargo into the Atlantic or the Pacific, you name it and we took it there...and we maintained and used the guns aboard the merchant ships," said Mr. Ciskiewicz

Mr. Ciskiewicz who fought in both theaters of the war, was involved in several key allied missions that changed the course of the war.

"I participated in three invasions: Omaha Beach in Normandy, France , the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines and Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines.

After World War II, Petty Officer Ciskiewicz spent the rest of his 40-year service to his country at different stations including U.S. Naval Air Station Niagara Falls, NY, Floyd Bennett Field, NY and Willow Grove Air Station, PA.

Mr. Ciskiewicz found out he was entitled to this award when he read a pamphlet from the Armed Guard Veterans group he is a member of. After he submitted his World War II service documents to the Russian Federation Embassy in Washington, D.C., Mr. Ciskiewicz received his medal and certificate of recognition.

In addition to the Russian Medal, Mr. Ciskiewicz also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter regarding his service During World War II.

Also honoring his service, Acting 914th Wing Commander Col. Mark Murphy presented Mr. Ciskiewicz with the medal at a small ceremony here, at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in early February.

"Getting the medal presented to me by a Colonel felt great, it made me feel good," said Mr. Ciskiewicz with a smile.

Colonel Murphy expressed pride and gratitude in Mr. Ciskiewicz and what he did for the American people.

"It was great to recognize a local World War II veteran and to be part of that legacy of what those [Servicemembers] did for our freedom here in the United States," said Colonel Murphy.