CHICAGO (WLS) -- There was a big 95th birthday celebration Tuesday in Lake Barrington for the amazing life of a World War II veteran, who fought with the Polish resistance. His life began as a nightmare: Bogdan Horoszowski managed to escape death as a child in Communist Poland during World War II. Since coming to the U.
S., however, he raised his family living the American dream. He often goes by his nickname, Mosquito, the code name he used during the German occupation of Poland during World War II.
It's nothing short of miraculous that Horoszowski survived the war. He spent time as a prisoner of war in 1944 in a German concentration camp. At 15, he was lined up to face a firing squad: The execution was called off seconds before he was to be shot.
"I am lucky I am alive. Many times, my life was in danger," Horoszowski said. Horoszowski, his family and friends celebrated his amazing life on the occasion of his 95th birthday Tuesday.
He was been awarded numerous medals and honors for his time in the Polish resistance during the Warsaw Uprising, including a Medal of Honor from the Polish president. Our Chicago: Helping veterans in need and honoring those who have served He said the medals are too numerous to count, or remember. His stories of his childhood and time during the war could fill several books.
His daughter heard many of them growing up, rather than fairy tales. "I heard my dad's history and his heroism and bravery, and it's something so clear in my mind," Yvette Klob.
