This site is dedicated to a man who was a phenomenal human being as well as a hero to many. Henry was a giant of a man who walked quietly among his flock only to, later in life, do so as a minister. This is just one of the remarkable achievements of this man.

“Article provided Courtesy of Stars and Stripes. Article written August 13, 1956”

Nothing could be more fitting than to have a former student, Elvis Presley sing this song on a page dedicated to a career soldier who earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star,Combat Infantryman Badge,Korean Service Medal with 6 Battle stars, Purple Heart with 2 oak leaf clusters,master parachutist badge,5 good conduct medals, 6 letters of appreciation,and numerous other medals as well.

Elvis was proud of Command Sergeant Major Henry Slomanski as an accomplished military man but also as the man who was his karate instructor, and the first one who awarded him a black belt.  Due to the awe and reverence Elvis felt toward Henry, it was not surprising that he carried his Sho Dan and Ni Dan certification cards in his wallet until the day he died. Commissioner Slomanski gave Elvis the only tri- Color belt in the world at that time. This belt was the one awarded by the Grand Masters and Emperor of Japan to Henry Slomanski. When Elvis was awarded his black Belt, Henry Slomanski took it off his body, gave it to Elvis and said “dye it black.” This was witnessed by Melvin L. Sauer 4th degree who trained Elvis for his black belt so he could be tested by Slomanski.

Slomanski’s achievements in life are unprecedented. It is our hope the dedication of this site shows him the honor he deserves. Henry Slomanski is a true American hero regardless of title. He held many titles throughout life: Command Sgt. Major, Commissioner, Sensei, Minister, friend, husband and Dad.

Some of you may have heard the name Henry Slomanski in passing. It many times is mentioned in passing with no substance given to who this man was and what he achieved. Here is the story that few know, but many of his students know fondly.

Henry Slomanski was born on June 18, 1928 in Evansville, New Jersey.  It was not until years later that a tragic event would take place that would alter things for years to come. Now, all of us know about the stories of that fateful day at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu Hawaii on December 7, 1941. Unfortunately, Henry Slomanski had a story of his own. He and his family were at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. It was on that historic day that Henry lost both of his parents and was forever separated from his natural born sister. He and his sister were never reunited and her fate from that attack, to this day, is still unknown. Henry was at the young age of 13 when these events took place. It was five years later, when he turned 18 that Henry decided to enlist in the United States Army. He joined the Army on June 26, 1946 at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Henry Slomanski, like all of the military, went through rigorous training. This training was in preparation for his roles in WWII and the Korean War. During his duration in Japan he began studying numerous styles of martial arts. It was while he was overseas that Henry was introduced to Chito-Ryu, a Japanese style founded by Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose. Chito-Ryu is a combination of Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu karate. Henry Slomanski had such a profound reputation for defeating every opponent around Japan that Dr. Chitose sought him out. He asked Henry if he could personally train him. Slomanski became Dr. Chitose’s number one student. He lived with him while training for several years in Japan. Henry went on to serve in the Korean War.

During this time, he was wounded twice and for his actions and received medals for his valor. He received the Silver Star on April 18, 1951, the Bronze star, the Korean service medal with six battle stars, Army Commendation Medal, three Purple Hearts, Master Parachute Badge, and numerous other medals and letters of appreciation.

In 1956 Henry Slomanski competed and won in the Lame and Kill Matches in Kokura, Japan. He defeated 119 men over a two-day period by laming or killing.  It was at this point that he took the title Commissioner of Karate in the United States and the surrounding territories. His military records show that he was stationed in Kokura, Japan and assigned as a 1st Sergeant at that time. The Japanese immediately changed the rules and abolished the Lame and Kill Matches due to his achievements. They suppressed any events that took place by instituting a new set of rules in 1957.

On August 3, 1957 Henry went on to become the school jump master in Fort Campbell, KY as a Sergeant Major. It was there that he trained the country’s best military men.  He had the honor of teaching the first Navy Seals team in martial arts. He also continued on to train the elite soldiers in the martial arts at Fort Bragg, NC.  Henry Slomanski had many men that he trained throughout the years, but only seven were able to achieve a 4th degree Shi han certificate. His most famous student was Elvis Presley. The Elvis story can be seen on www.elvischitoryu.com. Master Ed Parker sent Elvis to be trained and tested by Slomanski. He issued Elvis’ first legitimate black belt and subsequently his  2nd degree - Nidan.

On August 18, 1959 the show “To Tell The Truth” aired now allowing the world to know about Henry Slomanski’s accomplishments.  He was the International Karate Champion from 1953 to date of the video, but also held the title of Commissioner of Karate since 1956 until his death.  He was the 3rd highest rank belt in the world under the Grand Masters and wore a tri-color belt.

In 1960 Dr. Chitose asked Commissioner Slomanski to help promote a new style of Chito Ryu in the United States. He promoted Slomanski to a 6th degree in Chito Ryu, this was the highest belt under Chitose at the time. The nature of Slomanski’s training was under the original harsh style therefore, he informed Dr. Chitose; he was not interested in being part of this softer, watered down version. However, out of respect and honor he assisted in getting this style initiated.  In order to accommodate all needs Slomanski awarded his student, Wallace Reumann, who already had twenty seven dojos, to a 5th degree. The plan was that he would take over the Chito Ryu organization in the United States under Dr. Chitose’s direction. Reumann eventually gave this position up and Chitose sought out someone else to run this organization on his behalf.

After relinquishing his position with the new Chito Ryu organization, Slomanski went back and continued to teach the traditional style. He maintained  his position as Commissioner of Karate for the US and surrounding territories  till the day he died in April 2000.

Henry Slomanski retired from the military in 1966. He entered the Maranatha Eastern Orthodox Bible Seminary earning a Master of Religious Education and Doctorate of Theology degree. He was ordained as a Priest in the Eastern Orthodox Church of the East. His ministry focused on Christian counseling and hospital Chaplainry while serving at the New Haven Memorial Church in Wilmington, N.C. and at Henrico Doctors Hospital in Richmond, Va. He earned a Doctorate of Law degree with emphasis on Canon Law from the University of Los Angeles.

Henry Slomanski passed away on April 23, 2000. As the only International Commissioner of Karate he left a profound legacy. To learn more about this incredible man and his achievements in detail please visit www.hankslomanski.net.

Today the organization of Slo Ryu Karate Do proudly wears a patch in honor of Commissioner Henry Slomanski, International Commissioner of Karate. Grand Master John B. Burkhardt has designed this patch for all students of this style.

God Bless Command Sgt. Major Hank Slomanski, United States Army and World Karate Commissioner, rest in peace. God Bless Elvis Presley who earned the respect of Henry Slomanski.

May they look down with their loving graces on all of our military forces, police, firemen as well as those who still walk this land.

The patch below, designed by Soke Burkhardt, represents the styles Henry Slomanski studied. These styles were a blend of Kempo Karate do, Goju Ryu, Chito Ryu and a form of karate taught by T. Chitose before being given permission to create his own new style. This patch is for any student studying under the Slo Ryu Karate do organization.  Commissioner Henry Slomanski’s last surviving Shihan Master Instructor Soke John Burkhardt designed this patch to commemorate the only man in the world who had to legitimately fight in the Lame and Kill Matches in order to earn the tri-color belt. We know of no other Grand Master in history who had to fight 119 men for this position. www.henryslomanski.net/biography.html

The patch below was designed from the pin that was issued to Hank Slomanski by Dr. T. Chitose. Hank issued all of his Master Instructors a pin with this seal on it. Soke Burkhardt incorporated this policy in 1965, and had the seal placed on all of the certificates he ever issued.  This patch has been instituted into the Slo Ryu Karate do system by Soke Burkhardt. He is the sole person who has the authority to govern the control and use of this patch. This gold patch has a major significance for Slo Ryu Karate do and remaining true to traditions.

Slomanski Certificate