Maj. observer
Edward Karaś (1892–1977). Major observer of the Polish Army, aviator, officer of the Polish Armed Forces, participant in the Polish-Bolshevik War, Knight of the War Order of Virtuti Militari. He began his military service in the Polish Legions, fighting in the 2nd and 3rd Infantry Regiments. After the end of World War I he joined the Polish Armed Forces in France, and in 1919 served in the 580th Salmson Reconnaissance Squadron. After returning to Poland he took part in the fighting for Gdańsk Pomerania and on the Lithuanian-Belarusian front.
During the Polish-Bolshevik War he assumed command of the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron, which in the final phase of the conflict was converted into a fighter unit. After the war he continued service in Polish aviation. In 1922 he became commander of the 8th Reconnaissance Squadron, and then commanded the 2nd Group in the 2nd Aviation Regiment. In 1929 he took up the post of deputy commander of the 2nd Aviation Regiment, and in 1933 became commandant of the 3rd Aviation Regiment in Poznań, where he served until 1937. He was decorated with, among others, the Silver Cross of the War Order of Virtuti Militari, four Crosses of Valour, the Cross of Independence, and the Observer’s Field Badge.
He died on 18 December 1977 in Bochnia and was buried at the municipal cemetery in Bochnia.
