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Commemorative Plaques Unveiled in Marshall Józef Piłsudski National Avenue of the Distinguished People of the Sea in Rewa

14.06.2026 | 2 min. czytania

On 14 June 2026, another three compass-rose-shaped commemorative plaques dedicated to distinguished people of the sea were unveiled in the Marshall Józef Piłsudski National Avenue of the Distinguished People of the Sea in Rewa.  This year, by decision of the chapter, the honourees were Master Mariner Captain Leszek Wiktorowicz, Rear Admiral Karol Korytowski, and Leonard Możdżeński.  

Gdynia Maritime University was represented at the ceremony by Master Mariner, Dariusz Jellonek, Director of the Maritime Operations Department. The university's Guard of Honour provided the ceremonial duties.

Leszek Wiktorowicz (1937-2010) – Master Mariner, a 1962 graduate of the Faculty of Navigation at the State Maritime School (PSM) in Gdynia, Chief Officer on the Dar Pomorza, and long-standing Commander of the Dar Młodzieży
He served as the Grand Master of the Brotherhood of Cape Horners, was active in the Association of Polish Master Mariners, served as President of the Sail Training Association Poland, and was Deputy Chair of the Society of Friends of the Dar Pomorza (becoming the commander of the museum ship in 2008).

Between 1981 and 1982, he supervised work at the Gdańsk Shipyard related to the masting, rigging, sails, and navigational equipment of the Dar Młodzieży
He served as Head of Studies on the frigate's maiden voyage and subsequently as its Commander (intermittently until 2007). In 1987–1988, he commanded the tall ship during its voyage around the world and past the three capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn.  His decorations include the Medal of the Commission of National Education, the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Cross of Merit, the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, and the Distinguished Service Badge of the Gdańsk Region. 

Leonard Możdżeński (1892–1954) – Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Polish Transatlantic Shipping Company and member of the Supervisory Board of the Franco-Polish Railway Company, which operated the Silesia–Gdynia railway line; Director of the Maritime Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. 
During the Second World War, he exiled in France and England. In September 1939, he evacuated the banner of the State Maritime School (PSM) in Gdynia abroad. He was awarded the Knight's and Officer's Crosses of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

Karol Korytowski (1892-1966) – Rear Admiral, maritime journalist, Commander of the Marine Specialists School in Świecie, and Commander of the Naval Cadet School in Toruń; from 1933 to 1939, Chief of Staff of the Naval Command; from 1946, Head of the Naval Section of the Polish Resettlement Corps. His numerous decorations include the Order of Polonia Restituta (2nd, 4th, and 5th Class), the Cross of Independence, the Silver Cross of Merit, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), the French Legion of Honour, and the Swedish Order of Vasa (3rd Class).