"Krusher" Kowalski remembered as Global Viking by 934th members

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, UNITED STATES

10.26.2017

Story by Paul Zadach 

934th Airlift Wing

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, MINN. --
Stan “Krusher” Kowalski was known for many things before he passed away Oct. 20 at the age of 91. Kowalski was raised in North Minneapolis as Bert Smith. He served in the Navy as Gunnery Mate Smith. When he embarked on his wrestling career he decided that Bert Smith just wouldn’t instill much fear in anybody. He came up with Stan “Krusher” Kowalski as his wrestling name.

There is a much different persona that is remembered by the men and women of the 934th Airlift Wing in Minneapolis. That is one of a man whose compassion and dedication to veterans causes and the military will always be a part of the Air Reserve Wing’s history.

In 2004, Kowalski was the third person to be inducted in the 934th’s ‘Order of the Global Vikings’, an annual award reserved for individuals who have given steadfast support and outstanding contributions to both the wing and the Air Force Reserve. His name is engraved on a plaque that hangs in the lobby of the wing headquarters, a lasting tribute to a man whose presence will not be forgotten.

“He was popular out here and he used to come out for many events hosted by the 934th. He was an Honorary Commander, and I remember him being presented a purple Flying Vikings scarf by the wing commander,” said Mike Dressen, Logistics Manager and former Chief Master Sgt. at the 934 AW. Brig. Gen. (then colonel) Jim Muscatell, was the wing commander at the 934th who presented that scarf and he remembers Kowalski this way, “The thing I remember most about Stan is he was the opposite of his older nicknames such as “killer” and “Krusher” Kowalski. He had a heart bigger than anyone I’ve ever known and had more compassion in his little finger than most people had in their whole body. No matter what time of day, if we had a deployment or people returning home he was there standing beside me to meet our heroes and their families. No matter what he had going on he would drop it to be out at the base when needed. He was a true hero in my book, and I was honored to call him friend.”

Kowalski’s own military career was not in the air but under water. Kowalski enlisted in the Navy as a 17-year-old in 1943 and served on three submarines: the Plaice, the Barb and the Bashaw. He was a gunner’s mate, charged with the 50-caliber artillery piece on the deck. The experience set in motion a lifetime of trying to make things better for service members.

David Hammer, former 934 AW Historian, remembers Kowalski at the 934th and also when he worked at the department of Veteran’s Affairs. “I was at the Minnesota Dept. of Veterans Affairs when we did the WWII memorial at the State Capitol. I recall meeting him the first time but not knowing he was the "Krusher". I learned it after the first meeting and I was impressed that even in his 70s that I think he could still take me if we were to wrestle. You could feel the strength he still had. He was such a nice man to be around. I took him to be humble but he knew how to get things done and who to contact. I always looked forward to seeing him at the meetings and he would always remember who you were,” said Hammer.

Kowalski also long served as the state commander of the VFW. He spent decades promoting the United Way to companies, and the charitable group now has a Stan Kowalski Award.

“Krusher Kowalski” or Bert Smith, he will always be remembered here as a “Global Viking”.

Story was originally posted to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station website on Oct. 26, 2017, and may be found at http://www.minneapolis.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1355058/krusher-kowalski-remembered-as-global-viking-by-934th-members/

• Date Taken: 10.26.2017
• Date Posted: 12.08.2017 09:22
• Story ID: 257981
• Location: MINNEAPOLIS, MN, US
• Hometown: MINNEAPOLIS, MN, US