Franciszek Gajowniczek

Franciszek Gajowniczek
Franciszek Gajowniczek
Franciszek Gajowniczek, 1941,
Auschwitz prisoner 5659
Born(1901-11-15)15 November 1901
Died13 March 1995(1995-03-13) (aged 93)
Burial placeNiepokalanów
NationalityPolish
Known forMaximilian Kolbe sacrificed himself to save Gajowniczek
Spouses
  • Helena (died 1977)
  • Janina (survived him)
Children2 sons, killed 1945
Military career
AllegiancePoland
Service / branchArmy
RankSergeant
Unit36th Infantry Regiment
Battles / wars

Franciszek Gajowniczek (15 November 1901 – 13 March 1995) was a Polish army sergeant whose life was saved at the Auschwitz concentration camp by Catholic priest Maximilian Kolbe, who volunteered to die in his place.

Gajowniczek had been sent to Auschwitz concentration camp from a Gestapo prison in Tarnów. He was captured while crossing the border into Slovakia after the defeat of the Modlin Fortress during the 1939 invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany. Gajowniczek survived the war and afterward became a lay missionary, dedicating his life to spreading the story of Kolbe's sacrifice.