Paul Sapieha

Military Record

Sources: KOL.722/3, KOL.722/7, KOL.722/8, KOL.722/17 · Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, London; US Army Personal History Statements (DA Form 643A, DD Form 398, 1951–1954); Army of the United States Separation Qualification Record (WD AGO Form 100, 1946); Polish Government-in-Exile documents (Paris/London, 1940–1941); Wartime diary of Paul F. Sapieha, July 1944 – June 1945 (KOL.722/17)

Service Summary

Full name: Paul Frederick Sapieha (Paweł Sapieha)

Date of birth: 17 May 1900, Siedliska, Galicia (then Austria-Hungary; now Poland)

Army Serial Number (US): O-924143

US Army branch: Infantry (later General Staff Corps)

US citizenship: Naturalized 12 July 1945, Augsburg, Germany (certificate AM 20958) — AFTER VE Day

US Army ranks: Captain (commissioned 16 May 1943) → Major (September 1944) → Lieutenant Colonel (September 1945)

US Army service dates: 16 May 1943 – 9 March 1946 (separated Fort Dix, NJ); recalled to active duty May 1951

Primary WWII role: Chief, Foreign Liaison Branch, G-2 Section, HQ 12th Army Group (from 1 August 1944)

Key action: Prepared the cease-fire order signed by the German commander of Paris, 25 August 1944

Polish Army service: Sub-lieutenant of Cavalry Reserve; September 1939 campaign; Government-in-Exile 1939–1941

Post-war US Army: Inter-American Defence Board (1951); Korea (1953–54); 180th MI Detachment Fort Monroe VA

Physical description: 5 ft 7 in, 134 lb, brown eyes, brown hair, wound scars on left leg

Languages: French (fluent), Polish (fluent), German (fluent), English (fluent), Italian (fair), Spanish (fair)

Mother: Mathilde Windischgrätz (born 4 November 1873, Poland) — of the Austrian Windisch-Grätz family

Father: Paul Sapieha (born 1 September 1860, Tarnów, Poland; died 31 May 1934)

Children: Christine Sapieha (born c.1934) and Nicholas Sapieha (born c.1937)

Part I. Polish Army Service (1918–1941)

1.1 Austrian Army and Polish-Soviet War (1918–1920)

Sources: DA Form 643A (30 Jan 1951); Personal history forms

Paul Sapieha was born on 17 May 1900 in Siedliska, Galicia, then within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His formal education included Downside School, England (1910–1914); Kalksburg, Vienna, Austria (1914–1916); and the Kraków Gymnasium (1916–1918). He served briefly in the Austrian Army (Cavalry, 1918) during the final months of the First World War. Following Polish independence in November 1918, he transferred into the newly formed Polish Army, serving in the Cavalry during the Polish-Soviet War of 1920, for which he was awarded the Krzyż Walecznych (Cross of Valour). After demobilisation he studied at the University of Lwów (B.A., Agriculture and Forestry, 1920–1923) and the University of Grenoble, France (M.A./Licence, Economics and Law, 1923–1926).

He retained the rank of Second Lieutenant (Podporucznik) of Cavalry Reserve in the Polish Army throughout the interwar period, while pursuing a career in industry.

1.2 Interwar Career and Polish Army Reserve

From 1925 to 1937 Sapieha served as Manager and Director of Śląskie Kopalnie i Cynkownie (Silesian Coal and Zinc Mines), Katowice, Poland — with offices in Warsaw and Paris. Under President Baron de Neuflize, he supervised 800 white-collar workers and 6,000 miners, managing coal and zinc mines in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Germany. His salary reached $14,500–$40,000 per year. From 1937 to 1939 he managed his own estates in Poland and sat on the boards of Port Polonia Insurance Companies, Bank Zachodni in Warsaw, Lwów Breweries, and a Condensed Milk Corporation in Warsaw (majority stockholder and president). He was a member of the Conservative Party and an advisor to the daily newspaper “Czas” (Time).

1.3 September 1939 Campaign

On the German and Soviet invasion of Poland (1–17 September 1939), Sapieha volunteered for active duty and was assigned as an orderly officer (oficer ordynansowy / ADC) to the Staff of the Armia “Małopolska” (Army of Little Poland), stationed in Lwów. A movement authorisation dated 11 September 1939, signed by Chief of Staff Colonel Morawski, stamped by the Inspectorate of the Army in Lwów, granted him free movement throughout the entire army area.

His supervisor was General Sosnkowski — the same General Kazimierz Sosnkowski who would become Commander-in-Chief of all Polish Armed Forces in 1943. By October 1939, after the fall of Poland, Sapieha had escaped with the Polish Government and military to France, serving as secretary to General Sosnkowski and as a member of the Polish Government-in-Exile in Paris.

1.4 Polish Government-in-Exile, Paris (October 1939 – May 1940)

From August 1939 to April 1940, Sapieha served as a Polish Army Officer: “Lt. in Polish Army. Campaign in Poland on 6th Army Staff. Oct 39 secretary to Gen. Sosnkowski. Then member of Polish Govt. in Exile, Paris, France.”

On 27/31 March 1940, the Polish Ministry of Military Affairs (Personnel Office, Paris) formally released him from active military service by Karta Zwolnienia No. 82. The accompanying letter (L.dz. 4251/Pers., signed by Dr. I. Modelski, II Deputy Minister of Military Affairs) stated:

“On the basis of Art. 121 paragraph 2 of the Act of 9 September 1938 on general military obligation, I release from 28 March 1940, Second Lieutenant of Cavalry (Reserve) SAPIEHA Paweł (1900) temporarily from active military service for a period of 12 months in connection with his appointment to work in the Presidium of the Council of Ministers in civilian service.”

This is the formal instrument of the Polish Government-in-Exile authorising Sapieha’s civilian service. Copies were sent to General Sosnkowski and to the Presidium of the Council of Ministers in Angers, France. After the fall of France in June 1940, Sapieha departed for the United States, arriving New York on 13 May 1940.

1.5 Polish Army Reserve on Leave (1941–1943)

From the United States, the Polish Supreme Commander’s Staff (London) maintained ongoing authority over Sapieha. On 26 June 1941, General Klimecki (Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander), signed the following order:

“On the basis of paragraph 2 point a (Order of the Supreme Commander of 9 August 1940, No. 306/V/40), I grant Second Lieutenant of Cavalry (Reserve) SAPIEHA Paweł unpaid leave for a period of one year. The leave begins 1 May 1941. This leave may be suspended or revoked at any time if important service requirements demand it. Second Lieutenant Sapieha is required to report in writing his place of residence and any change thereof to the Military Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington.”

Copies went to General Sosnkowski, the Military Attaché at the Polish Embassy in Washington, and to Sapieha at 555 Park Avenue, New York City.

This establishes that from 1940 to at least 1942, Sapieha was a serving Polish Army Reserve officer on official leave, required to keep the Polish Military Attaché in Washington continuously informed of his address. The Polish authorities retained formal jurisdiction over him up to the moment he joined the US Army in May 1943.

Part II. United States Army, World War II (1943–1946)

2.1 Commissioning and North Africa (May 1943 – February 1944)

Sources: DA Form 643A (30 Jan 1951); Remarks page itinerary; CSDIC orders, KOL.722/8 scans (1)–(4)

Paul Sapieha was commissioned as a Captain in the Army of the United States (AUS), Military Intelligence branch, on 16 May 1943 — entering service from New York. He was NOT yet a US citizen; he remained a Polish citizen throughout his entire combat service. He would not be naturalized until 12 July 1945 — two months after VE Day — at Augsburg, Germany.

His last civilian address before entering service was 320 East 57th Street, NYC. In late 1943 his orders took him through Washington DC and Alexandria, VA, then to Algiers, North Africa, where he was attached to the 2692d Headquarters Company, CSDIC (Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Centre), under Lt. General Devers (NATOUSA). CSDIC was the primary Allied organisation for the intelligence interrogation of Axis prisoners of war.

2.2 Military Intelligence Service, European Theater (February – July 1944)

Sources: DA Form 643A Remarks page; KOL.722/8 scans (5)–(10)

Sapieha’s detailed wartime itinerary, recorded in his own hand on his Personal History Statement:

Special Orders from March–August 1944 (KOL.722/8) document his assignment first to the Office of the Chief of Staff under General Bradley (then commanding First US Army Group), and temporary duty at HQ 82nd Airborne Division. By 11 August 1944 he was reassigned to the G-2 Section as “Foreign Liaison” officer.

2.3 Chief, Foreign Liaison Branch — The Liberation of Paris (August 1944)

Sources: Bronze Star citation, KOL.722/3 scans (13)–(14); French Proposition de Citation, scan (2)

From 1 August 1944, Sapieha served as Chief, Foreign Liaison Branch, G-2 Section, HQ 12th Army Group — the interface between General Bradley’s command and all French, Belgian, Luxembourg, and other Allied military and civil authorities, managing over 500 French officers dispersed across more than 100 American units in constant movement.

The French citation (KOL.722/3 scan 2) records that he conducted reconnaissance missions alongside French Resistance elements on 22, 23, and 24 August 1944, near Rambouillet, Maintenon, and Dreux — gathering intelligence that guided the Allied advance on Paris.

The Bronze Star Medal citation (KOL.722/3 scans 13–14) states:

“He prepared the cease-fire order which was signed by the German commander of the Paris defenses, and which was delivered to the German garrisons throughout the city. His outstanding discharge of staff and intelligence functions has been an invaluable contribution to the Allied effort in France.”

The German commander was General Dietrich von Choltitz, who defied Hitler’s orders to destroy Paris. The cease-fire order Sapieha prepared was the instrument that ended German resistance garrison by garrison, preventing the destruction of the city. When he did this, Sapieha was a Polish citizen serving in the US Army — not yet a US citizen.

For this action, and the broader intelligence and liaison work of August–September 1944, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by General Bradley, and cited at Division level by General de Gaulle in Decision No. 404 (16 February 1945).

Two days later, on 27 August 1944, Sapieha was part of General Eisenhower’s official motorcade into Paris — accompanying Bradley and Eisenhower to the Invalides to call on General de Gaulle, then to the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs-Élysées. His diary entry for that date: “Ride and show way for Gen. Eisenhower into Paris… cortège — Eisenhower, Bradley and me.” (KOL.722/17)

2.4 Promotion to Major; General Staff Corps (October 1944)

Sapieha was promoted to Major on 15 September 1944. Special Orders No. 64, HQ 12th Army Group, 16 October 1944, assigned him to the General Staff Corps (GSC). A replacement ID certificate (November 1944) authorised him to proceed throughout the entire 12th Army Group Sector “via any authorized means of transportation.”

2.5 Key Operations from the Wartime Diary (November 1944 – May 1945)

Source: KOL.722/17 — wartime diary of Paul F. Sapieha, July 1944 – June 1945

Sapieha’s personal diary, preserved at PISM London (KOL.722/17), records a number of significant operations and meetings during this period not captured in the official citation documents.

6 November 1944 — Meeting with Allen Dulles (OSS, Bern). Diary entry: “Meeting with Dulles and Guerrity. Tells me a lot about Hans H. and Germany. No opposition in Germany as Communists only ones interested in disintegration of order there… Transport disruption great, and food situation for civilians grave.” Dulles was at this time the OSS station chief in Switzerland and the senior American intelligence officer covering Germany. The meeting took place near the Swiss border while Sapieha was on a liaison trip to 1st French Corps and 1st French Army.

9 March 1945 — Organisation of the French decoration ceremony, Namur. Sapieha organised and ran the ceremony at which General Alphonse Juin decorated eight senior US commanders with French military honours: Generals Bradley, Patton, Hodges, Brereton, Doolittle, Gerow, Simpson, and Vandenberg. Diary: “Rehearse all morning with French and US troops. Ceremony at 4.30 pm.” This event was a direct result of Sapieha’s role as the interface between French and American command.

11 April 1945 — Capture of Franz von Papen. Diary entry: “v. Papen arrives — meet him from airport, turn him over to Voskees. (v. Papen, his son & Stockhausen, son-in-law.)” Von Papen, former Chancellor of Germany and Ambassador to Turkey, was a significant war criminal suspect. Sapieha received him at the airfield and effected the handover to Allied custody.

11–12 May 1945 — Mission to meet Marshal Koniev. Three days after VE Day, General Bradley sent Sapieha personally to arrange a meeting between Bradley and Soviet Marshal Ivan Koniev, commanding the 1st Ukrainian Front. Diary entry for 11 May: “Leave at 11.30 in Bradley’s C-47 for Leipzig. Trip hedge-hopping all the time.” On 12 May, Sapieha drove from Leipzig through Riesa to Dresden, where he met Koniev, dined with him (“caviar and small pig with Kasha, vodka, Caucasian wine”), and arranged the Marshal’s subsequent visit to US-held territory. This was a direct personal mission for General Bradley.

2.6 Luxembourg Liaison and the Battle of the Bulge (October 1944 – January 1945)

The Luxembourg government placed an Audi sedan directly at Sapieha’s personal disposal for his liaison duties with Luxembourg civil authorities. Its subsequent loss to the 3468th Ordnance Company during the German Ardennes offensive (Battle of the Bulge, December 1944) prompted an inquiry reaching HQ First US Army (General Hodges) and HQ Ninth US Army (General Simpson). The vehicle’s loan to a named individual demonstrates the personal trust Luxembourg placed in Sapieha.

2.7 VE Day and Dissolution of 12th Army Group (May – July 1945)

Sapieha served through VE Day (8 May 1945) — the end date recorded in his Legion of Merit citation. On 20 July 1945, as 12th Army Group was dissolved, General Bradley sent a personal farewell letter:

“This command, which at the end consisted of over 1,200,000 combat troops, made the main effort in the operation which was brought to a glorious and victorious conclusion on May 8… Please accept my thanks for everything you have done to make our operation a success. — O.N. BRADLEY, General, U.S. Army, Commanding.”

2.8 US Naturalization (12 July 1945, Augsburg, Germany)

On 12 July 1945 — two months after VE Day — Paul Sapieha was naturalized as a United States citizen at Augsburg, Germany. Certificate No. AM 20958.

Paul Sapieha was a Polish citizen throughout every day of his combat service: North Africa (1943–1944), Normandy (June 1944), the liberation of Paris (August 1944), the Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe campaigns (1944–1945), and through VE Day (8 May 1945). He did not become a US citizen until 12 July 1945, in post-war occupied Germany.

2.9 Promotion to Lieutenant Colonel; USFET G-2 (October 1945 – March 1946)

Sources: DA Form 643A (1951); KOL.722/3 scans (3), (6)–(8), (11); KOL.722/8 scans (27)–(30)

Sapieha was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 26 September 1945. After the dissolution of 12th Army Group, he was assigned to G-2 Division, HQ US Forces European Theater (USFET), APO 757, under General Eisenhower (and from October 1945, General Patton). The French decorations correspondence addresses him as “Lieutenant Colonel Paul SAPIEHA, Chief Foreign Liaison Branch, G-2 Section HQ USFET.”

2.10 Intelligence Mission to Poland (10–21 September 1945)

Source: “Report on Trip to Poland,” TOP SECRET (now declassified, NND 017046), HQ USFET G-2

In September 1945, six months after VE Day, Sapieha undertook a clandestine intelligence mission to Poland and Czechoslovakia on behalf of HQ USFET G-2. His 22-page classified report — originally marked TOP SECRET, declassified by NARA in 2003 — covers ten subjects: military situation, forest resistance fighters, politics, agriculture, press censorship, industry and labour, eastern border population transfers, the Jewish population, and UNRRA operations.

He drove from USFET headquarters through Prague, Olomouc, and Teschen to Kraków, then to Warsaw, then returned via Breslau (Wrocław) and Prague. In Warsaw he was received by the US Military Attaché (Colonel Fashner). In Kraków he visited the District Military Commander and the Archbishop’s Palace.

His conclusion, signed personally as “Paul F. Sapieha, Lt. Colonel, GSC, Chief, Foreign Liaison Branch”:

“It is the opinion of all people in POLAND that unless the West intervenes in a radical way, POLAND is doomed to become the 17th SOVIET republic; that this is the communists’ firm intent; that the members of the present Polish government are nothing but stooges for the Russians; and that the food situation is going to become very bad; and that a revolt will come when the population creates an uprising against the occupational forces and the Russian propaganda and ‘stooges.’ This revolt, in the unanimous opinion of the informers, will be crushed in a most bloody manner, and will seal the fate of the Polish nation.”

Sapieha was thus, in September 1945, acting as the US Army’s senior intelligence officer reporting on the Soviet occupation of his homeland. His contacts in Kraków included senior Polish officers who begged for American help.

2.11 Separation from Active Duty (March 1946)

Sapieha was rotated from active service on 15 December 1945, on separation leave until 15 March 1946. He was formally separated at Fort Dix, New Jersey, date of separation 9 March 1946. His Separation Qualification Record describes his role as:

“FOREIGN LIAISON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER: Interrogated prisoners, did counter-intelligence and political intelligence, and was chief of foreign liaison intelligence for 12th Army Group on the staff of General Bradley.”

After separation he worked as Assistant Manager, Pan American World Airways, Paris (July 1946 – June 1947), managing the Paris office and Western European PAA stations in Brussels, Frankfurt, Prague, Vienna, and Marseilles, supervising approximately 150 employees.

Part III. Post-War US Army Service (1951–1954)

3.1 Inter-American Defence Board, Washington DC (May 1951 – January 1953)

Recalled to active duty in May 1951 as Lt. Colonel, MI USAR (Military Intelligence, US Army Reserve), Sapieha served as Chief, Liaison Section, Inter-American Defence Board, Washington DC — managing South American military missions. He was then assigned to the 180th MI Detachment at Fort Monroe, Virginia, under ACofS G2 OCAFF, Col. Van Natta. Address: 2510 Q Street NW, Washington DC.

3.2 Korea (January 1953 – May 1954)

On 26 January 1953, Sapieha departed for the Far East. His Korean service:

A Recommendation for Award dated 7 December 1953 describes his command of the 2nd Partisan Infantry Regiment (8240th Army Unit, APO 301):

“Lieutenant Colonel Paul F. Sapieha, Infantry, served as commander of the 2nd Partisan Infantry Regiment from 16 May 1953 to 7 December 1953. As Regimental Commander, Colonel Sapieha was directly responsible for the organization, administration, supply, training, and housing of all Partisan personnel under his command. In spite of the many problems arising from inadequate logistical support and insufficient instructor personnel, Colonel Sapieha worked tirelessly to give his personnel training in tactics and weapons that were completely unfamiliar to them. Through his determination and professional ability, Colonel Sapieha molded his regiment into a well organized, smoothly operating force. The loyalty and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Sapieha reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.”

Rated “Superior” by his commanding officer, Lt. Colonel Glenn E. Muggelberg. He returned to civilian status in 1954.

Part IV. Complete Decorations and Honours

4.1 United States

Bronze Star Medal (15 Aug – 1 Oct 1944). Awarded by General Bradley, Army Group Commander. For preparing the cease-fire order signed by General von Choltitz and delivered to German garrisons throughout Paris, 25 August 1944. Source: KOL.722/3, scans (13)–(14)

Legion of Merit (6 Aug 1944 – 8 May 1945). Awarded by General Eisenhower, USFET General Orders No. 241, 12 September 1945. For establishing and coordinating Allied military missions and exceptional intelligence work across the full European campaign. Source: KOL.722/3, scan (17)

European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 5 Bronze Service Stars (1944–1945). Campaign participation: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.

Victory Medal (World War II) (1946).

4.2 France

Croix de Guerre avec Étoile d’Argent (16 Feb 1945). Decision No. 404, signed by General de Gaulle (President, Provisional Government) and General Juin. Cited at Division level: “pour services exceptionnels de Guerre rendus au cours des opérations de libération de la France.” Source: KOL.722/3, scans (9)–(10)

Légion d’Honneur, Chevalier + Croix de Guerre avec Palme (12 Sep 1945). Decree signed by General de Gaulle and Minister Bidault. Personally presented by General Koenig (French Military Governor of Germany). General Bradley himself had asked the French Mission whether Sapieha was being proposed for this honour. Source: KOL.722/3, scans (3), (6), (7), (11)

Note on the rarity of this combination: The Wikipedia article on William H. Jackson (Deputy Director of the CIA 1950–1951, himself a 12th Army Group G-2 officer) states that he “is believed to be the only US Army officer below the rank of general to receive both the French Légion d’Honneur and Croix de Guerre with Palm.” Jackson is listed as a character reference on Sapieha’s own personal history statements — the two men knew each other and worked in the same G-2 intelligence milieu. Sapieha’s documented receipt of both the Légion d’Honneur (Chevalier) and the Croix de Guerre avec Palme, as a Lieutenant Colonel, constitutes a documented counterexample to that claim.

4.3 Luxembourg

Order of the Oak Crown (Ordre Grand-Ducal de la Couronne de Chêne), Chevalier (3 Jul 1945). Awarded by Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg (“Nous Charlotte, par la grâce de Dieu, Grande-Duchesse de Luxembourg…”), countersigned by Bech, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Luxembourg’s principal national order. Source: KOL.722/3, scan (20)

Croix de Guerre (Luxembourg) (1945). Confirmed in the Separation Qualification Record (1946): “Luxembourg: Order of Nassau Chene and Croix de Guerre.” Two separate Luxembourg decorations.

4.4 Verdun Gold Book

Inscribed in the Livre d’Or des Soldats de Verdun, No. 5669, September 1944. Certificate signed by the President of the AC de Verdun and the Deputy-Mayor: “Le nom de Major Paul Sapieha, 12th Army Group, United States Army, est inscrit sur le ‘Livre d’Or des Soldats de Verdun’ N° 5669.” Source: KOL.722/3, scan (1)

4.5 Poland (Government-in-Exile)

Krzyż Walecznych (Cross of Valour) (1920). Awarded for service in the Polish-Soviet War.

Złoty Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami (Gold Cross of Merit with Swords) (27 Jun 1946). Conferred by the President of the Republic of Poland in Exile, Decree No. 543/Og.46, 19 June 1946. Certificate No. 12823, issued by the Polish General Staff, London. “Lt.Col. SAPIEHA Paweł.” The “with Swords” designation is for wartime military service. Source: KOL.722/3, scan (25)

Order Odrodzenia Polski (Order of Polonia Restituta) (3 May 1977). Awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland in Exile. Poland’s second highest state order.

Part V. Decoration Citations in Full

5.1 Bronze Star Medal (August–October 1944)

Archive: KOL.722/3, scans (13) and (14) — HQ 12th Army Group, The Army Group Commander

“Major Paul F. Sapieha, 0924143, General Staff Corps, United States Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations during the period 15 August 1944 to 1 October 1944, as Chief of the Foreign Liaison Branch, G-2 Section, Headquarters Twelfth Army Group. He demonstrated an exemplary degree of tact and resourcefulness in the conduct of liaison operations with the French Tactical Mission and other Allied military and governmental authorities, effecting a thorough coordination among the organizations engaged in intelligence and counterintelligence activities. He made available to our forces the efforts of various resistance groups in France, often entering newly liberated localities on the heels of the forward assault forces. He prepared the cease-fire order which was signed by the German commander of the Paris defenses, and which was delivered to the German garrisons throughout the city. His outstanding discharge of staff and intelligence functions has been an invaluable contribution to the Allied effort in France. Entered military service from New York.”

5.2 Legion of Merit (6 August 1944 – 8 May 1945)

Archive: KOL.722/3, scan (17) — HQ USFET, General Orders No. 241, 12 September 1945, by command of General Eisenhower

“Major Paul F. Sapieha, 0924143, General Staff Corps, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services as Chief of the Foreign Liaison Branch, G-2 Section, Headquarters, 12th Army Group, from 6 August 1944 to 8 May 1945. Major Sapieha established and coordinated the functioning of various allied military missions attached to American forces and maintained at all times a cordiality of relations between their personnel and American commanders. In addition, he performed numerous reconnaissance missions which added considerably to the volume of intelligence information available to the allied armies. In organizing and furthering the work of inter-allied missions and directing their effort in favor of the common cause, Major Sapieha achieved results which reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army. Entered military service from New York.”

5.3 French Citation — Proposition de Citation

Archive: KOL.722/3, scan (2) — Mission Militaire Française de Liaison, HQ 12th Army Group

“Officier supérieur de l’Armée américaine, chargé de la Direction du Service des Missions Étrangères auprès de l’État-Major du 12ème Groupe d’Armée… Ami éprouvé de la France, a tenu à accompagner le Chef de la Mission Française et ses adjoints depuis l’invasion en Normandie jusqu’à la victoire finale dans la plupart des inspections ou missions dont de nombreuses ont été faites sous le feu de l’ennemi. En particulier, a pris une part importante dans la recherche des renseignements auprès des éléments de Résistance qui ont permis de régler l’orientation de la manœuvre alliée sur Paris… A effectué les 5 et 6 Septembre des reconnaissances périlleuses dans la manœuvre d’approche de Metz, à Briey et le 13 septembre à Esch. A pris après l’entrée en Allemagne, la part la plus active aux opérations de rapatriement des prisonniers et déportés français. Officier d’élite… un collaborateur indispensable à la bonne marche du dispositif d’une mission militaire comprenant plus de 500 Officiers français répartis dans plus de cent unités américaines en constant mouvement.”

Note: General Bradley himself asked the French Mission whether Sapieha was being proposed for the Légion d’Honneur (KOL.722/3, scan 3).

5.4 Separation Qualification Record — Official Summary of Career (1946)

Source: WD AGO Form 100 (Army of the United States Separation Qualification Record)

“FOREIGN LIAISON INTELLIGENCE OFFICER: Interrogated prisoners, did counter-intelligence and political intelligence, and was chief of foreign liaison intelligence for 12th Army Group on the staff of General Bradley.

Decorations: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, European Theater Ribbon with 5 battle stars and Victory Medal, French: Chevalier in Legion of Honor, 2 Croix de Guerre, Luxembourg: Order of Nassau Chene and Croix de Guerre, World War I Polish: Military Cross and Gold Cross of Merit.”

Part VI. Notable Contacts and References

The character and professional references listed by Sapieha on his various US Army personal history statements reveal the calibre of his network:

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