POLISH ARMY VETERAN'S GROUP WANTS
 WAR HERO REMEMBERED ON POSTAGE STAMP

Caro, Michigan - Polish culture in American began 401 years ago in Jamestown Colony in Virginia. Due to the circumstances, the Polish Jamestowners who linked their destiny with those of the first settlers of Virginia, faired no better than their fellow pioneers in recorded recognition.

The Poles came to Jamestown not as adventurers or mercenaries, but as desperately needed craftsmen and experienced soldiers, needed by the colony and recruited in Europe by the Virginia Company, at the insistence of Captain John Smith.

Other important historic events that played a part in Polish American heritage are the military role of General Casimir Pulaski and Genereal Thaddeus Kosciuszko, American Revolutionary war heroes. Christianity is an integral part of Polish culture. In recent history, the elevation of John Paul II to the Papacy was a joyous historic occasion.

As a continuation of Polish American feats, during World War II, Colonel Matt Urban earned 29 medals which equal that of Audie Murphy.

Colonel Matt Urban, born in Buffalo, New York, entered the service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, July 2, 1941, at age 22. Colonel Urban was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. From June 14 through September 3, 1944, then  Captain Urban distinguished himself by a service of bold, heroic action, exemplified by outstanding combat leadership, personal bravery, and tenacious devotion to duty during those dates of battle.

Lieutenant Colonel (the Captain) Matt Urban's company attacking encountered heavy small arms and tank fire. The enemy tanks were unmercifully raking his unit's position and inflicting heave casualties. Captain Urban, realizing that his company was in imminent danger of being decimated, armed himself with a bazooka. He worked his way with an ammo carrier through hedge groves under a continuing barrage of fire, to a point near the tanks. He brazenly exposed himself to the enemy fire, and firing the bazooka, destroyed both tanks. Later that same day, still in the attack, Captain Urban was wounded in the leg by direct fire from a tank gun. He refused evacuation and continued to lead his company until they moved into a defensive position for the night. At early morning the next day, still in the attack, Captain Urban, though badly wounded, directed his company in another attack. Shortly after, he was again wounded. Suffering two wounds, one serious, he was evacuated to England for treatment.

While recuperating in England, Captain Urban learned of his unit's severe loss in the hedge groves of Normandy. He voluntarily left the hospital and hitchhiked back to join his company as commander. He subsequently encountered heavy fire from enemy positions, and his two support tanks were destroyed. Another tank was available, but had no tank commander and gunner. Captain Urban mounted the tank and drove it in firing position and destroyed the enemy offensive position, and his company gained enemy ground.

After subsequent battles, Captain Urban became Battalion Commander. He again was wounded. He refused evacuation and continued offensive command, causing the enemy to lose ground and sustain heavy casualties. He fought with 9th Division's 60th Regiment in North Africa, Sicily, France, and finally Germany.

Retired Lt. Colonel Matt Urban, perhaps the most decorated soldier in U.S. History, died March 6, 1995, of complications from a collapsed lung in Holland, Michigan. He was 75 and had won 29 medals for valor in World War II. In 1989 the Guinness Book of World Records gave the record to Colonel Urban. President Jimmy Carter cited Urban with the Medal of Honor in 1980. He waited a long time to get the nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. "When I came home, I never thought about war", he said in 1988, "that's why the medal was 35 years late, I just never pursued it." But a friend did, and Colonel Urban got the medal. Perhaps more amazing that the Medal of Honor was the the seven Purple Hearts, one for each wound, Colonel Urban earned in the war. By the time he beached in Normandy, he'd been wounded three times in North Africa. The Germans nicknamed him the Ghost. "I guess it was because I kept coming back," he said. While still recovering from a leg wound, he performed the act that earned him the Medal of Honor. Carrying a cane in one hand and a gun in the other, he came on American troops pinned down by German fire. A sergeant later said, "One of the craziest officers suddenly appeared before us, yelling like a mad man and waving a gun in his hand. He got us on our feet, though, gave us our confidence back and saved our lives." A couple of months later, Colonel Urban was shot through the neck, his seventh and final wound.

Colonel Urban's citations besides the Medal of Honor, include the Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Silver Star with 1 Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit, Croix de Guerre, Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal and 7 Purple Hearts with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters.

After the war, Colonel served as recreation director in Port Huron for seven years, then director of the Monroe Community Center for 16 years. His last job was director of the Civic and Recreation Department of Holland, Michigan. He retired in 1989 to promote his book "The Urban Story" and World War II experiences.

Colonel Urban is buried in Arlington National Cemetery near the Memorial Amphitheater and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He is survived by his wife Jennie, a daughter, Jennifer Helen Urban of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a brother, Dr. Stanley Urban of Buffalo, New York.

The Polish American Community of the Thumb Area of Michigan with the cooperation of Tuscola County Polish American Club and PLAV Post No. 217 Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A., is asking the citizens to sign a petition or write to the Post Office to have the U.S. Postal Service issue a postal stamp honoring Colonel Matt Urban for his heroic and patriotic actions during World War II.

For more information and petitions, call or write to: