Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Historical Association, Inc., (FTFRHA) invites veterans, their families and the public to attend the dedication of the new Meditation Garden in memory of Felix S. Witkowicz on Sunday, May 26, at 2 p.m. (1400 hours), in front of the at the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum.
Witkowicz enlisted in the Army in 1942. During WWII he was assigned as rifleman and quartermaster to the 616th Ordnance Ammunition Company, 5th Engineer Special Brigade, Combat Engineers Amphibious Forces. On June 6, 1944, D-Day, Witkowicz, a squad leader, landed on Omaha Beach on the 33rd wave. He was then integrated with Company C 301st Infantry. Shortly after, Witkowicz and his men volunteered to fight in the Battle of the Bulge under General George Patton’s command and were assigned to the 94th Infantry Division for 16 months. He was a Technician Grade 5.
For his efforts in the face of great adversity, Witkowicz was awarded the Bronze Star, Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar, Combat Infantryman Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp, American Theatre Campaign Ribbon, Honorable Service Lapel Button-WWII, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal and Bronze Arrowhead.
On August 17, 2010, at a ceremony held at the Fort Tabor~Fort Rodman Military Museum, Witkowicz was awarded France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor, the highest military award bestowed by the French Government. At this ceremony, Mayor Scott Lang presented Felix with Citations from the City of New Bedford and the New Bedford City Council. Witkowicz also received citations from Senator John Kerry, Congressman Barney Frank and was presented with the American Flag which had flown over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Witkowicz passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at the age of 94. The New Bedford native will be remembered this Sunday with the dedication of the new Meditation Garden at the Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Military Museum. The Meditation garden was made possible through funds donated in his honor.
The dedication of the Meditation Garden is a free event. Light refreshments will be served. The museum is located at 1000c South Rodney French Boulevard in New Bedford. For additional information please call the museum at 508-994-3938.
That was my Uncle Felix. He lived on Coggeshall St for many years. We lived next door to him in the tenement. He always kept a meticulous yard. Soft spoken and a devote Catholic.