Brief Biography

1918 - 1939 - Childhood

Stephen Stanley Krawczyk was born in Paterson, New Jersey on September 6, 1918 to first-generation Polish immigrants Stanley Krawczyk and Stella Kobuszewski. He also had two older siblings, sister Sophie and brother Henry.

Steve grew up during the Great Depression (1929-1939). The climate of depression in a sense resulted in the poorest of times and the best of times. Although he lived in extremely tight circumstances, some things could be considered a plus. Since so many of the people in the eastern industrial states were of like circumstances, they developed a greater spirit of cooperation, particularly among families, of pooling of some resources, and sharing was a way of life. As kids, they would, on occasion, share clothing, and whatever. They played various sports including baseball, for which they started a neighborhood team which were known as the “Defenders”. Steve would go on to graduate high school in February of 1937.

1939 - 1946 - World War II

Steve enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in August 1939 and was assigned to the 7th Air Force, 22nd Materiel Squadron. ‘Materiel’ is correctly spelled in this context as it refers to military materials and equipment. He served in a variety of roles during his enlistment, including as Supervisor of the Maintenance Section, Department of Technical Instruction at Hickam Field in Oahu, Hawaii.

During his leisure time, Krawczyk could typically be found playing a game of basketball or tennis with his fellow GIs. He would regularly score in the double-digits in basketball games and was appointed coach of the 22nd Materiel Squadron’s team. Under his leadership, the squad won the 17th Group Championship for the 1940 season. He also loved to play tennis, often preferring the challenge of facing two opponents simultaneously. This was known as 'Canadian Doubles.’

On December 7th, 1941, Stephen suddenly found himself fighting for his life alongside his fellow soldiers in the early morning surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service on Pearl Harbor. The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the Nation’s entry into World War II.

Following the events of Pearl Harbor, Steve put in for flight training and was sent to Santa Ana, California. There he learned enemy aircraft identification and Morse code, among other pre-flight training subjects. However, the aviation field turned out not to be for him, and he ultimately returned to ground work, spending time at bases in Nebraska and Utah. His final duty station was a base in Kansas where he met his wife-to-be, Ruth Johnson. The two met at a USO dance and got married in 1946.

1946 - 1949 - Alaska

As newlyweds, Ruth’s father Colonel J.P. Johnson, General Manager of the Alaska Railroad, encouraged Ruth and Steve to move to Alaska and try working for the railroad. So, the two of them headed to Anchorage and eventually Fairbanks. Steve worked as a machinist on the trains during that time.

n 1948, Ruth gave birth to the Krawczyk’s first baby girl, Katherine. With new responsibilities and Alaska’s high cost of living, the couple decided that their run in Alaska had come to an end and that it was time to try their luck back down in the 'lower 48' states!

September 1949 - 1952 - College Days

After moving back to Kansas, Steve and Ruth had their second daughter, Mary. In September of 1949, Steve officially became a freshman at Washburn University of Topeka, Kansas at the age of 31! While going to school he also worked at the Veteran’s Hospital as a psychiatric aide. By 1952, Steve achieved his goal of graduating from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and he and Ruth also added their first son, John, to the family.

1952 - 1985 - Sherwin-Williams

Immediately after graduating, Steve began a career with Sherwin-Williams Paint Company, which would go on to last 33 years! While working for Sherwin-Williams the family lived in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Jersey, and the Washington, D.C. area. They also added a third daughter to the family, Margaret who was born in Albuquerque, and a second son, Stephen Jr, born in Kansas City, Kansas.

1985 - Present Day

Steve has resided in Manassas, Virginia for over 40 years. He is a long-time member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. He returned to visit Hawaii and Pearl Harbor in 1996.

“I was amazed at the changes, it went from an isolated area to a bustling vacation place.”

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