Sylwester Kaliski

Sylwester Kaliski (19 December 1925 – 16 September 1978) was a Polish engineer, professor and military general. He was a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN).

Born in Toruń, Kaliski was a specialist in the field of applied physics. He developed the theory of continuous amplification of ultra and hyper-sounds in semiconductive crystals and obtained plasma temperature of tens of millions of kelvins using laser impulse. He died in Warsaw, Poland in car crash. It has been speculated that Kaliski was killed by the Soviet KGB, as he headed the Polish clandestine program of developing thermonuclear devices intended for military use. The program began on orders from the highest levels of Polish communists and was reportedly opposed by the Soviet Union.

Accolades

 * Order of Builders of People's Poland - 1978 (posthumously)


 * Order of the Banner of Labour 1st Class - 1968


 * Commander's Cross Polonia Restituta - 1973


 * Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta - 1961


 * Gold Cross of Merit - 1957


 * People's Republic of Poland 30th Anniversary Medal - 1974


 * Gold Medal "Armed Forces in Service of the Fatherland" - 1970


 * Silver Medal "Armed Forces in Service to the Fatherland" - 1970


 * Bronze Medal "Armed Forces in Service to the Fatherland" - 1970


 * Gold Medal "For Meritorious Service to National Defence" - 1974


 * Silver Medal "For Meritorious Service to National Defence


 * Bronze Medal "For meritorious service to national defence"


 * Order of Friendship of Nations (Soviet Union) - 1973


 * Order of War Merit with a Great Star (Yugoslavia) - 1967


 * Entry in the "Honorary Book of Soldierly Deeds" - 1973


 * and others.