Information about his death was also provided by the Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on X. “We came to sad information about the death of General Waldemar Skrzypczak. This is a huge loss for loved ones and our military family. Professionalism, devotion to the homeland, patriotism – These words come to mind when we remember the general. Thank you for thousands of trained soldiers for commanding them in the country and on missions. For the experience he was to the end with the young generation. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with a mourning family, “he wrote.
Waldemar Skrzypczak was born on January 19, 1956 in Szczecin, but he spent his childhood and youth in Kołobrzeg, where his father served for two decades in the 32nd Mechanized Regiment – a unit whom later, later, in 1991, the general became the commander.
In 1976 he began studying at the Military Officers' School. He graduated from the Officers' School of the armored forces named after Stefan Czarniecki in Poznań, the General Staff Academy in Warsaw and post-graduate operating and strategy studies at the National Defense University.
He commanded numerous units – from the 32nd regiment, through the 16th Mechanized Division, to the 11th Armored Cavalry Division. He also became the commander of the International Division in Iraq. In the years 2006–2009 he was the commander of the Land Forces. His military career, however, suddenly ended, when in 2009 he resigned, having – as reported – significant differences in sentences with the then defense minister, Bogdan Klichem. The general himself justified the departure of “manipulation” from the ministry – reported GK24.pl.
Expert, advisor and controversy in Russia
After leaving the army, Skrzypczak was involved as a military expert, commenting on events and reforms in the army, including on your blog. He also got involved with business and advised the defense minister Tomasz Siemoniak. In 2012, he took the position of Undersecretary of State for Armament and Modernization at the Ministry of National Defense, but gave up the function at the end of 2013. The reason was the matter of reporting by the military counterintelligence service regarding a possible crime.
In recent years he was an expert of the Kazimierz Pułaski, dealing with international security.
In 2022 he caused a stir from his statement about the Królewiec region. He described him as the “Russian occupation” since 1945, emphasizing that the area was historically belonging to Prussia and Poland. “In my opinion, it is part of Poland's territory. We have the right to blame this area, which Russia occupies” – he said. These words met with a sharp reaction of the Russian side.
Decorations and distinctions
General Waldemar Skrzypczak was honored with numerous national and foreign decorations. Among them were, among others Knight's Cross and Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Golden Cross of Merit, Legia of Merit in the US (in the rank of officer) and the Portuguese Order of Merit in the rank of a great officer.
