Colonel Ireneusz Zieliński

[RedMaestro2]

Presenting here the Order Polonia Restitua 3rd (Commander’s) Class set of Colonel Ireneusz Zieliński.

Colonel Zieliński rose through the ranks of the Ministry of Public Security (MBP)/Ministry of Internal Affairs (MSW) to head Division V of Bureau C of the MSW, the Polish section of the Interlinked System for Recognizing Enemies (Polish: “PSED” - “Połączony System Ewidencji Danych o Przeciwniku”; Russian: “СОУД” - “Система объединенного учета данных о противнике”). This Moscow-based computer network, founded in preparation for the 1980 Olympic Games, shared information about enemies of state among the security services of Warsaw Pact nations (later expanded to include Mongolia, Cuba, and Vietnam). Colonel Zieliński commanded the project from its inception in July 1977 to April 1990, when the communist state security apparatus was being dismantled (most PSED documents were destroyed near the end). He was awarded his Order Polonia Restituta 3rd Class in June 1980, almost certainly in connection with the establishment of PSED.

Colonel Zieliński's service record is available from IPN at the link below. I have several other sources that discuss PSED in detail (also confirming Colonel Zieliński's role).

Biuletyn Informacji Publicznej Instytutu Pamięci Narodowej

[RedMaestro2]

The cross. At 6x6cm, it is much larger than lower classes of the order. It is worn on a neck ribbon. The case is quite large, about 12x19 cm. Its interior is white with a length of ribbon running diagonally across the inside of the lid (sorry, didn't take a picture).

[Al-muell]

:wow
Awesome story!