The Fort Taber Museum honors Felix S. Witkowicz, a WWII hero, with a special flag this January
New Bedford: This January, the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum is flying the 64th Lights for Peace flag to honor Felix S. Witkowicz. He was a Technician 5th Grade in the U.S. Army and fought bravely during D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.
Felix was born on September 10, 1918, in New Bedford, the youngest of Leon and Antonina Witkowicz’s children. His family later moved to Fairhaven.
He graduated from Fairhaven High School but didn’t get to enjoy the ceremony. Instead, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps to help support his family. He led a team in the Army Corps of Engineers for four years.
Felix enlisted in the Army in 1942, serving as a Rifleman and Quartermaster in the 616th Ordinance Ammunition Company. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he landed on Omaha Beach as a Squad Leader, tasked with disarming mines and clearing paths for troops.
Later, he joined Company C of the 301st Infantry Division and volunteered for the Battle of the Bulge under General Patton. He served for 16 months and was promoted to Technician 5th Grade.
His obituary mentions that he received the Bronze Star for his bravery, along with several other medals for his service, including the Combat Infantryman Badge and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
In 2010, Felix was honored with France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor at the Fort Taber Museum. He also received citations from local officials and an American flag flown over the Capitol.
In 2011, he finally got a diploma from Fairhaven High School, which he missed out on years earlier.
Felix passed away on October 27, 2012, at 94. A Meditation Garden was dedicated to him in 2013, where family and veterans can reflect. His daughter, Janice, spoke about how he carried the memories of his fallen comrades with him.
She shared that Felix often recounted his war stories, especially two moments that haunted him. One involved a comrade he couldn’t save, and the other was about a soldier who slipped from his grasp on the beach in Normandy.
Janice emphasized that Felix was a voice for all the soldiers who didn’t return home. He remembered them, and she urged everyone to do the same.
Felix worked at Morse Twist and Drill and Machine Company for 39 years and was active in his church and community organizations. He was married to Mary for 67 years and had five children, eight grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.
He will always be remembered for his love of family, faith, and country.
Linda Ferreira from Empire Ford researches local histories. Flags are provided by Empire Ford and raised by the Fort Taber staff. To honor a veteran, contact Ferreira at lferreira@empirefordinc.com.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: January Veteran Flag honors WWII Veteran Felix S. Witkowicz
