CHICAGO (WLS) — There was a significant celebration on Tuesday in Lake Barrington to honor the 95th birthday of a remarkable World War II veteran who was part of the Polish resistance.
Bogdan Horoszowski’s life began in very challenging circumstances, as he narrowly escaped death as a child in Communist Poland during World War II. However, after moving to the U.S., he successfully built a family and lived the quintessential American dream.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
He often goes by his nickname, Mosquito, the code name he used during the German occupation of Poland during World War II.
Horoszowski’s survival during the war can only be described as miraculous. He endured a period of captivity as a prisoner of war in 1944 within a German concentration camp. At the young age of 15, he faced a firing squad but, fortunately, the execution was halted just moments before he was to be killed.
“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 Klobuchar said.
Horoszowski met his wife, Mira, after the war. They’ve been married for 65 years. They moved to Chicago in 1963, where she opened a successful designer dress business.
“We visit Chicago, and I fall in love with the city. And I’m still in love with the city. Chicago was the most beautiful, exciting place, and that’s where we wanted to move,” Mira Horoszowski said.
The couple now lives in Lake Barrington, where they are celebrating his birthday and adding a stone with his name inscribed to their Veterans Memorial Garden.
“A lot of experiences during my life, to collect everything and refresh my memory, it is very hard,” Bogdan Horoszowski said.
Horoszowski’s daughter says she wants to make sure his stories from the war are shared with future generations. And she says this honor is so important because it will help make sure that happens.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
