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. He was honored with an entry in the "Honorary Book of Soldierly Deeds" in 1973.
Awards and decorations
- 60px Order of the Builders of People's Poland (posthumously, 1978)
- 60px Order of the Banner of Labour, 1st Class (1968)
- 60px Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1973)
- 60px Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1961)
- 60px Gold Cross of Merit (1957)
- 60px Medal of the 30th Anniversary of People's Poland (1974)
- 60px Gold Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland (1970)
- 60px Silver Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland
- 60px Bronze Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland
- 60px Gold Medal of Merit for National Defence (1974)
- 60px Silver Medal of Merit for National Defence
- 60px Bronze Medal of Merit for National Defence
- 60px Order of Military Merit with Great Star (Yugoslavia, 1967)
- 60px Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry (Portugal, 1976)
- 60px Order of Friendship of Peoples (Soviet Union, 1973)