This past November 6th, 64th Street (between Flushing and Grand Avenues) was conamed Stanley E. Wdowiak Way.
Stanley Edward Wdowiak, born January 20th, 1925 in Brooklyn, NY, enlisted in the United States Navy, and served as a Radioman Second Class onboard the U.S.S. Pillsburyv(DE-133). It was as a member of the nine-member crew of this ship that Wdowiak took part in the heroic actions which captured the German Submarine U505 on June 4th, 1944 off the coast of West Africa. He is remembered for his service to his country and for his extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty. He was awarded the Navy Cross by the President of the United States. Below is the text of his Navy Cross citation:
“The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Radioman Second Class Stanley Edward Wdowiak, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a member of a party of nine men from the U.S.S. PILLSBURY (DE-133) who boarded and captured the German Submarine U-505, on 4 June 1944, off Cape Blanco in French West Africa. When this party boarded the submarine, it was still underway and was running on the surface in a circle, the crew having just been driven overboard by gunfire from the ships and aircraft of Task Group 22.3. There was every reason to believe that there were still enemy personnel below setting demolition charges and scuttling but Radioman Second Class Wdowiak and two others plunged down the conning tower hatch prepared to fight it out with any enemy personnel they found. Then, although water was pouring into the U-boat and there was the strong possibility that it would blow up or sink at any moment, he remained below and assisted in salvaging the submarine and keeping It afloat so that eventually the submarine was towed to Bermuda. Radioman Second Class Wdowiak’s conduct reflects great credit on the Naval Service and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Navy.”
Stanley and his wife, Margaret, were the proud parents of Nancy Pinamonti, Patricia Mascia and Peter Wdowiak. They resided in Maspeth at 61-64 Grand Avenue until Stanley’s death in 1988 at 63 years old.
Council Member Robert Holden thanked Maspeth Federal Savings, Community Board 5, NYPD 104th Precinct, Juniper Park Civic Association, Maspeth Lions, Maspeth Kiwanis, United Veterans & Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32, the Wdowiak family, and everyone else who made this possible.
