Francis H. Seborowski Civilian Conservation Corps Photographs, 1938-1939

Francis Henry “Frank” Seborowski was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 20, 1921. He was the son of Polish immigrants. Seborowski’s family grew up poor after his father moved back to Poland. Seborowski spent several years in an orphanage during the Great Depression. Seeking employment and housing, Seborowski joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938. He worked at camps in Wisconsin, Idaho, and Montana. In July of 1938, Seborowski arrived in Jordan, Montana to work at Camp DG-70. He worked there until October of 1938.

After his discharge from the CCC in 1939, Seborowski returned to Chicago where he worked in a factory and participated in boxing tournaments and prize fighting. He married his wife, Helen, in 1942 and was drafted during World War II. He spent three years in the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO). Seborowski had three children and returned to industrial work after his service overseas, working on space capsules and other government projects. His specialized work with super light and heat resistant beryllium contributed to America’s first successful orbital flight with John Glenn and Friendship 7 in 1962.

Seborowski died on May 22, 1984 in Cook County, Illinois.