Name: Theodore Francis MISKOWIEC
Rank / Rating: S1-Seaman First Class
Service #: 861 27 72
DOB: Aug 28, 1910
From: Chicago, Illinois
Parents:
Went Aboard: Sep 01, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 34 years, 11 months, 2 days
Spouse: Helen Miskowiec
Children: Gregory
Grandchildren: Lisa, Kimberly and Robert
Bio Submitted By: Carl
Date Posted:

Seaman First Class Miskowiec was born August 28, 1910, in Chicago, Illinois was living in Fruitport, Michigan when he joined the Navy on June 14, 1943, at the age of 33. He went to boot camp at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois.

After boot camp, he went aboard USS Indianapolis and served almost two years on the ship until it sank on July 30, 1945. Theodore Miskowiec was lost at sea. He participated in the following actions on Indianapolis: Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands Operations, Asiatic-Pacific Raids, Marianas Operations, Battle of the Philippine Sea, Capture of Tinian Island, Western Caroline Islands Operations, Raids on Japanese home islands, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He left behind his wife Helen and a son Gregory whose family grew to include three grandchildren, Lisa, Kimberly and Robert and two great grandchildren, Bobby and Michael. MICHIGAN MEMORIAL PLAQUE See photographs (posted below) to view a copy of a memorial plaque that was dedicated circa 1946 to honor seventy-two (72) State of Michigan men who served on USS Indianapolis CA-35 and who were Lost At Sea. Theodore Francis Miskowiec's name is listed on the plaque! Per the caption on one of the photos, the plaque was originally planned in 1946 for display at a proposed Detroit Civic Center. The plaque was initially displayed at the Detroit Naval Post VFW #233. However, the plaque had vanished for decades, fueling rumors of theft, being melted for scrap, or hidden away in a private basement. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Jeff Ortiz (nephew of LAS Y3 Orlando Ortiz) and Joni Deaver (cousin of LAS sailor S2c Charles Roof Jr.), this priceless piece of history has been re-discovered in the Detroit Historical Society storage basement in Michigan. One of the photos shows Jeff Ortiz and Ralph McNabb (nephew of LAS F2 Thomas McNabb, Jr) standing behind the very dusty plaque as it was found.