Originally published at Orange County Catholic
ON VETERAN’S DAY WE acknowledge the sacrifices of those who have served our country and thank them for their service.
Robert Szymczak of San Clemente and Our Lady of Fatima parish is like many other local veterans. He walks tall and straight, looks right into your eyes when he talks to you and is extremely proud of his service to our great nation.
But Szymczak is also the recipient of two Purple Hearts, a medal of the U.S. Military awarded on behalf of the president of the United States to those who have been wounded or killed while serving.
Born in Chicago in an area known as Polish Broadway, he was an only child, graduating from Gordon Technical High School, a Catholic school run by the Congregation of the Resurrection in Chicago. He then attended nearby DePaul University.
As a freshman Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) student, the head of the ROTC program suggested he apply for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. After graduation in 1962, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
He became an artillery officer with his first assignment at the former Fort Baker located at the foot of the Golden
