Henryk Pietrzak

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Henryk Pietrzak (b. March 6, 1914 - January 28, 1990) was a Polish fighter ace of the Polish Air Force in World War II

[edit] Biography

During the Invasion of Poland, Pietrzak piloted PZL.23 Karaś light bombers and later flew fighters with the Free French Air Force's GC III/9 squadron.

He joined No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron on 26 August 1940, flying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, becoming a Squadron Leader. It was on December 31, 1942, that while flying a Spitfire Mk IX (number EN128) he scored the 500th victory for the Polish Air Force in WW2 and was later decorated by Polish President Władysław Raczkiewicz. He became a member of 315 Polish Fighter Squadron from July 1944 until October 1944, flying Mustang IIIs. All his victims were German fighter planes: 3 Messerschmitt Bf 109s and 4.5 Focke-Wulf Fw 190s.

He settled in England after the war.

[edit] Awards

• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Krzyż Walecznych, four times
• Medal Lotniczy
• Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross