President Andrzej Duda posthumously awarded Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski – known as Papcio Chmiel – the Order of the White Eagle. He died on January 21 at the age of 97.

Acclaimed comic book author dies at 97

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The head of the President’s Chancellery, Grażyna Ignaczak-Bandych, will present the highest state decoration to the family of the deceased during the funeral ceremony at Powązki Military Cemetery. “Papcio Chmiel” will later be laid to rest at the family grave at Bródno Cemetery in Warsaw.

Papcio Chmiel served in the Home Army (AK) and fought during the Warsaw Uprising. Then, from 1947, he worked as a cartoonist for the “World of Adventures” (Świat Przygód) magazine. The first black and white picture story about Tytus, who became one of the most popular characters in Polish comic books, was printed in October 1957.

Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski was also the author of a comic book about WWII, as he believed that the graphic form would make history more appealing to younger generations. In 2009, he painted a mural at the Warsaw Rising Museum.

During his lifetime he received many awards including the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.