Medals and ribbons of Ernestina Krakowiak for her service in the Red Army

Ernestina-Yadja (Minz) Krakowiak (today Edna Peled) was one of a number of Jewish women who served in the Allied Armies during WWII. Born in Warsaw, Krakowiak fled to Soviet territory early in the war and was sent to a detention camp in Siberia. When a Polish unit of the Red Army was founded at the initiative of Wanda Wasilewska, Krakowiak responded to the author's call to the Polish exiles, and joined its ranks. Krakowiak, one of two women in her unit of the artillery division, served as a typist and took part in many battles. For her involvement in the various combat operations – the battle for Berlin, the liberation of Warsaw and more – Krakowiak was awarded both Polish and Soviet ribbons and medals.

Yad Vashem Artifacts Collection
Donated by Edna Peled, Holon