John Wojtkowiak

PRIVATE JOHN WOJTKOWIAK was born January 16, 1895 in Camden, NJ. He was one of eight children, seven of whom were born in Camden. His parents, John L. Wojtkowiak and Hedwig (Jadwiga) Sobus-Wojtkowiak and their eldest child Victoria came to the U.S. in 1884 into the Port of New York on the ship AMERICA. from Poland. Also aboard were two of John L.'s brothers, Andrew and Adalbert and his wife Marianna and their son Ladislaus. The Wojtkowiak family was living at 1225 Chestnut Street as early as 1888, working as a laborer, according to the city directories of the day. The family was living at 1210 Chestnut Street at the time of the 1900 Census, and later moved to  of 1212 Chestnut Street in Camden NJ. John L. Wojtkowiak was one of the founding members of the predominantly Polish St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, located at South 10th and Mechanic Streets.

John Wojtkowiak registered on June 5, 1917 at local board #3 in Camden NJ. Records from that year report John Wojtkowiak's occupation as "iceman." He is described as having grey eyes, dark complexion, weighing 137.5 lbs., and 60 inches in height. He was single. Private Wojtkowiak is said to have been studying for the priesthood when called to active duty on on July 9, 1918. After arrival at Camp Humphreys VA, he was transferred to Company B, 4th Engineers Training Regiment. On August 20, 1918 he was assigned to the Engineers Replacement Service Corps, and then to the 116th Engineers. Once in France he was sent to the Company E, 305th Engineers, 80th Infantry Division

Private Wojtkowiak was killed in action on November 1, 1918 neat St. Georges, France, near the Meuse River during the Argonne fighting. A victim of enemy artillery fire, he died instantly.

John Wojtkowiak was survived by his parents and a large extended family. He is buried in France. His name is also engraved on his parents' gravestone, a large cross in section A of Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ. 

The Laskowski-Wojtkowiak Post #74 American Legion of Camden NJ, founded in 1928 and which stood for many years at the corner of Louis and Liberty Streets in Camden, was named in part for him. This Post now shares quarters with the Polish Army Veterans in a building on Mount Ephraim Avenue in Camden NJ.

1210 Chestnut Street

The Home of
John L. & Hedwig Wojtkowiak

Private John Wojtkowiak
his brother Stanley Wojtkowiak
and their six siblings were born
at
1210 Chestnut Street

Stanley Wojtkowiak's son
Captain John White, USAAF
was born at 1212 Chestnut in 1920

This memorial to Private John Wojtkowiak was created with the help of his great-niece, Sandy White-Grear, using data compiled by great-niece Chris White and Connie Wojtkowiak-Wilke.