CPA recommends Gen. Ryszard Jerzy Kukliński for the National Garden of American Heroes

August 24, 2020

Hon. Charles Laudner

Executive Director

Task Force for Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes

Dear Director Laudner,

We are writing to request your support for inclusion of General Ryszard Jerzy Kuklinski in the National Garden of American Heroes.

The National Garden of American Heroes will commemorate exceptional figures representing various dimensions of American life and history.  One of the defining elements of American history has been opposition to totalitarian regimes and the pursuit of freedom for all.  Heroes of the struggle against Soviet Communism deserve a prominent place in this American Pantheon.

In the epic struggle against Communism, Gen. Kuklinski distinguished himself as one of the greatest.  His bravery, sacrifice and the unparalleled value of the information he delivered should be commemorated in the National Garden so that future generations of Americans understand the history of the Cold War era and the significance of our nation’s ongoing resistance to Soviet imperialism.

Gen. Kuklinski was an officer in the Polish People’s Army.  At the culmination of the Cold War, he became fully aware of the offensive and criminal character of the Soviet Communist system and its ambitions to dominate the world, so he decided to join forces with CIA.  He delivered to NATO over 35,000 pages of Soviet top secret documents, which were invaluable in preparing or adjusting NATO defense plans against an imminent invasion of Western Europe by the forces of the Warsaw Pact.  For his services to NATO, he became the first foreign recipient of the CIA Distinguished Intelligence Medal.

The General’s work as a CIA agent required exceptional courage and heroism, including years of constant risk to himself and his family.  Though Gen. Kuklinski was successfully evacuated from Poland with his entire family in 1981, he lost both his sons in 1993 and 1994 under suspicious circumstances.  Most likely their “accidents” were acts of revenge by Soviet or Russian intelligence.

It is difficult to even speculate about the course of events and to imagine the state of the world without NATO’s timely access to the information delivered by Gen. Kuklinski.  We are convinced that Gen. Kuklinski deserves a place of honor in the National Garden of American Heroes for his contribution to the defeat of the Soviet Union.

The National Garden of American Heroes, as any project of such nature, will reflect certain political realities and the historical context of its time.  A memorial of Gen. Kuklinski would carry significant symbolism, particularly in terms of the American vision of international relations and the American political doctrine of defending and protecting freedom.

We are kindly asking for your understanding and support in this matter.

Respectfully,

Stanislaw Sliwowski

President, Coalition of Polish Americans