Biography
Kolowski, Walter (Kolowsky; party name Wippel, Walter); b. July 17, 1892 (1893), WWI draft registration says b. January 1893; Jaslo or Suwalki, Poland; To the US in 1911; Polish American; Father Ignaz, mother Petroninela (both deceased); Served in the US Army from 1915-1919, WWI in France with the 1st Division, 3rd Company Machinegun BN, Rank Sergeant (acting Lieutenant); 4 years primary school education; Single; Toolmaker, Mechanic, and Writer; YCL 1908 in Poland CP, CPUSA 1921 (1924) Party Secretary for the city of Hamtramek, Spanish CP 1938; Received Passport# 358323 on December 22, 1936 which listed his address as 3136 Lehman Avenue, Hamtramek, Michigan, and Detroit, Michigan; Sailed December 26, 1936 aboard the Normandie; Arrived in Spain on January 3, 1937; Served with the XV BDE, Lincoln BN, Estado Mayor; Lincoln-Washington BN, MG Co., Commander; Served at Jarama and Brunete; Repatriated political; Returned to the US on July 31, 1937 aboard the President Roosevelt; Returned to Spain in June 1938 and served in the Ebro Offensive; Returned to the US on December 20, 1938 aboard the Ausonia; In 1943 he was living in Encino, California.Source: Sail; SACB; Lincoln; Voros-Jarama; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 849, ll 23, List of American Comrades that have been Repatriated as per October 15 1937.
Photograph: Walter Kolowski in Spain RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 718, ll. 104; Kolowski Photo 11_0227. Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Photograph Collection; ALBA Photo 15; Series I Photographs 1930s-1990s, Box 2, Folder 25. Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.
