Zdzisław Krasnodębski

Zdzisław Krasnodębski alias Król (10 July 1904 in Wola Osowińska – 3 July 1980 in Toronto) was a pilot, founder and commander of Squadron 303.

After study at schools in Siedlce, Łomża and Warszawa in Poland, he commenced his military service at the age of 16 in the Warsaw 201 Infantry Regiment in 1920 as a volunteer during the Polish-Soviet War. After leaving the military service he joined Cadets Corp No. 1 in Lwów, where he had passed matura (high school graduation certificate). After graduation, he was accepted to the Officer's Flight School in Grudziądz, which was subsequently relocated to Dęblin.

Zdzisław graduated on 15 August 1928 as a Second Lieutenant observer and joined the 1st Flight Regiment in Warsaw. In Spring 1929 he completed his basic flight training in Dęblin. In May 1930 he completed advanced flight training in the 2nd Flight Regiment fighter wing in Kraków. His dreams were eventually fulfilled when he was assigned to Tadeusz Kościuszko 111th Fighter Squadron of the 1st Flight Regiment in Warsaw.

Zdzisław Krasnodębski continued his career in the Warsaw regiment. For a few years, as second lieutenant, he earned a reputation from both his peers and superiors as a good pilot and officer. His masterful piloting skills helped him to gain respect and admiration. His physical characteristics were those of a natural fighter pilot; not very tall, slim, and also handsome with boyish looks. He had a low, pleasant voice and was composed, intelligent, and with good sense of humor and optimism. He took his professional responsibilities seriously, and later as a unit commander always treated his subordinates fairly.

He actively participated in actions of his unit. In October 1933 he was among the ranks of pilots of the 111th visiting Bucharest. In May 1935, he was a member of delegation of the 1st Flight Regiment to Marshal Józef Piłsudski's funeral. Five months later, as Lieutenant, Krasnodębski participated in a fighter pilot competition in Grudziądz.

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