He was born 15 November 1918, the second of five children to Polish immigrants Antoni Kajencki and Antonina (Staszewska) Kajencki in Erie, Pennsylvania. His parents strongly promoted education as the gateway to a better life for their children, Edward, Francis, Stephen, Sophie, and Louise. Francis was an excellent student and attended Polish parochial elementary schools, followed by enrollment in Bishop Gannon's Cathedral Preparatory School in 1933. This high school had exceptionally high standards that prepared him well for his competitive route to an appointment to West Point via the Pennsylvania National Guard. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in January 1943, and then fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

After the war, he entered the fledgling guided missile program in 1947. The Army sponsored his schooling at the University of Southern California where he earned a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. He was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, to teach officers and enlisted men about guided missiles and air defense artillery. After 17 years of training military personnel, commanding new missile and nuclear weapons systems in the United States and overseas, including General Staff duty at the Pentagon, Col. Kajencki changed fields to become a senior officer in Public Information.

In 1966-67, he attended the University of Wisconsin (Madison) where he earned a master's degree in Journalism. He then served two years as the Chief of Information, Allied Land Forces Southeastern Europe with NATO in Izmir, Turkey. Upon return to the United States in 1969, Col. Kajencki assumed the duties of Information Officer, Military District of Washington, D.C., culminating as Assistant Chief of Information, Department of the Army.

He retired in 1973 after more than 34 years of military service. In that span, the Army awarded him the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal twice, the Army General Staff Badge, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, the Commendation Medal, the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, World II Victory Medal, and the Army Occupation Medal.

Shortly after his military retirement, Col. Kajencki earned a third master's degree in History from George Mason University. He returned to his retirement home in El Paso and commenced a career of historical research and writing. As a distinguished military historian, Colonel Kajencki authored nine books with particular focus on significant contributions by Polish heroes and immigrants in American history. His books on the military service of Generals Thaddeus Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski, and the dramatic service of the Pulaski Legion, are particularly noteworthy in light of his meticulous research.

His biography on Thaddeus Kosciuszko was singled out for merit by the International Commission on Military History in 2001. As his prolific writing career approached an end due to failing health, Col. Kajencki worked tirelessly to research, write, and publish his last book. It is a highly credible, hard-hitting expose titled "American Betrayal: Franklin Roosevelt Casts Poland into Communist Captivity."

Always a champion for Polonia and a staunch defender of "polskosc" (Polishness) in America, Col. Kajencki was the founder and twice president of Polish National Alliance (PNA) Lodge 3155 in El Paso. Later, he was elected and served as President of the Polish American Congress (PAC) of Texas. And, he was the founder and principal managing officer of Southwest Polonia Press, the publishing company he established in El Paso. Among many awards over the years, Col. Kajencki was honored at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington, D.C. on 22 June 2005 with a special reception and medal award ceremony in recognition of his truly extraordinary literary and cultural achievements.

Francis Casimir Kajencki, 89, died 18 July 2008 of natural causes in El Paso, Texas. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a widower for many years. His wife, Virginia Theresa (Bierasinski) Kajencki died in 1969. He is survived by his youngest sister, Louise W. (Kajencki) Winschel (Erie, PA), his four children, Francis C. Kajencki, Jr. (Pekin, IL), Anthony A. Kajencki, II (Hedgesville, WV), Miriam L. Kajencki (Barnet, England), AnnMarie F. Kajencki (Bismarck, ND), and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Francis Casimir Kajencki was a perpetual scholar, soldier and patriot, and a consummate professional in his life's work.

Felix Molski with Anthony Kajencki at West Point