Born on 1 February 1918 in Warsaw. He belonged to the generation that was born in the year when Poland gained its independence, thus these children were brought up in the atmosphere of liberty, national pride, and patriotism. In Warsaw he completed the Wladyslaw IV Secondary School. He also underwent gliding training at Sokola Gora, near Krzemieniec. In 1938, in Swidnik near Lublin he completed training in RWD-8 aircraft (as a part of general military trainig). In that year he was called up for the Infantry Divisional Course at Brzesc on Bug, and then, in December 1938 was transferred to the Air Force Cadet Officers School in Deblin. In 1939, being a cadet officer in advanced flying training, he completed the Fighter Flying Training at Ulez. near Deblin. In September 1939, together with a group under command of F/O Witold Urbanowicz, he was evacuated to Romania and then to France. After the armistice, in June 1940 he moved to Great Britain. He received number P-1626. In January 1941 he was posted to the Air School at Carlisle (commanded by F/Lt Boleslaw Orlinski), and then to 55 OTU at Aston Down where he underwent conversion training in Hurricane aircraft. On 26 March 1941 he was assigned to No. 316 (Polish) Fighter Squadron City of Warsaw. He flew his first operation sortie on 2 April 1941, and on 17 April 1941 his first combat sortie. On 1 October 1941 he was promoted to pilot officer. While remaining at No. 316 Squadron he underwent a gunnery and diving-bombing course at Sutton Bridge, as well as a
course of flying without earth visibility. From August 1943 he was an instructor at 58 OTU. In February 1944 he became a flight commander in No. 302 (Polish) Fighter Squadron City of Poznan, and in August that year a tactical officer in 131 Fighter Wing (he remained at that post until January 1945). Then he returned to the previous post in No. 302 Squadron. On 14 February 1945, after Sigfrid Line had been broken, during sweep sortie on German transport units J.Szymankiewicz was shot down and wounded. He spent two months in a hospital. On 15 April 1945 he returned to 131 Fighter Wing
as a tactical officer. In June 1945 he took over the command of a flight in No. 317 (Polish) Fighter Squadron City of Wilno. From 18 December 1945 he commanded No. 302 (Polish) Fighter Squadron City of Poznan. He remained at that post till the end of September 1946 when he left for Poland. He flew 298 operation and combat sorties. He returned to Poland on 25 November 1946. He became the chief of training at the Warsaw Flying Club, then he was a pilot at the Polish Airlines LOT. In June 1950 he was made redundant from aviation. He was working in building industry. In 1956 he returned to
sanitary aviation; he was the head of training and air traffic. In 1968 he was employed as the head of training at the
Agro-aviation Services. From 1979 he was a test pilot at the Air Force Institute in Warsaw. In 1979 he flew his last flight and retired.

His decorations include:

Silver Cross of Virtuti Militari War Order No. 08439 (awarded on 21 November 1944), Cross of Valour and three bars, and
Distinguished Flying Cross. For his professional and social service he was awarded Cavalry Cross of the Poland s Restitution Order.