Raised in a small village at the base of a mountain in Skoczow, Poland. His family had a farm that grew hay, wheat, and rye. During WWII his family would disperse the food from their farm throughout the village to help feed those in need.
Separated from his family at the age of 16; Joe found himself a prisoner of war of the German Army. While being relocated, Joe and another Polish prisoner jumped into a pig slough where they were able to stay hidden for the next 4 hours. Upon hearing American voices, they jumped from the slough yelling for help. The American soldiers took them in and sent them back to Poland, where Joe fought in the rebellion army.
After the war he moved to Wisconsin, only living there for a short 7 months, before being drafted in the 1st round of the Korean War; fighting for the US Army.
“I am a survivor.”
“Education is everything.”