“...and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” ABRAHAM LINCOLN TheThe VVolunteerolunteer JOURNAL OF THE VETERANS OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRIGADE Vol. XXII, No. 2 Spring 2000 The Judge Who Indicted Pinochet to Speak at NY Vets Event April 28, 30, page 4 Sergeant Edward Carter Honored, page 2 Boys of Williamsburg, page 6 New Robert Capa Photos Found, page 8 A Monument in B.C., page 12 Sam Walters Photos, page 24 Vets and supporters at the unveiling of the IB monument in British Columbia, Canada, (l-r) Tom Kozar, Rosaleen Ross, Joe Barrett, Dave Smith, Jack Harman, and Arne Knutsen. We Must Remember! WWee MMustust RemembRemember!er! Honors Fighting Spirit at Bay Area Vets Reunion NNeeww YYororkk AAprprilil 3030 Peter Glazer’s sensational theatrical pre- sentation “We Must Remember!” which headlines the annual New York reunion on April 30, left a crowd of 900 spectators simul- taneously cheering and weeping at the show’s premier performance before Bay Area veter- ans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade on February 27. Based on the writings of Spanish Civil War participants and observers, together with the war’s legendary songs, as well as new Continued on page 5 ERMACK B ICHARD R HOTO BY P The information circulated is on a variety of subjects, Sgt. Edward from requests for details on specific battles or volunteers to questions or comments concerning interpretations of the Carter Civil War and/or works of famous historians. One mem- ber recently went to the trouble of sharing his extensive Honored in bibliography with list members. There was even a recent exchange on the battle-worthiness of the Mosin-Nagant Sacramento rifle, used by many Republican army units, including the XVth Brigade. The only Lincoln vet to There are a few rules governing the use of the discus- receive a Congressional sion site: messages must be signed by the sender and must Medal of Honor, Sgt. relate to some aspect of the Spanish Civil War or to the his- Edward A. Carter, Jr., tory or legacy of the International Brigades. All messages received special recogni- are previewed by the list moderator to ensure that they tion last February when abide by these guidelines. Members may join or leave the the California Military mailing list at their convenience. The names of members, Museum in Sacramento unveiled a special exhibit as available only to the list moderators, are kept strictly confi- part of the celebration of Black History Month. dential. Carter's heroic exploits occurred in 1945 in To participate, simply send a blank e-mail message to: Germany, but because of the army's discriminatory poli- [email protected]. A password will be assigned cies toward African American soldiers, he received only to enable you to read archived messages. Questions can be the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1997, President Bill directed to the list moderator via e-mail at: owner- Clinton moved to remedy that injustice by awarding [email protected]. Carter the Medal of Honor. Carter died in Los Angeles Selected correspondence from the list is reprinted in in 1963 at the age of 47. the Volunteer as Letters to ALBA. See page 3. Besides the racial prejudice he faced in the army, Carter's service in Spain had made him suspect to mili- tary intelligence officers because of the Lincoln Brigade's ties to the Communist Party. Indeed, in 1949, the army rejected his request for reenlistment. That blacklisting, part of the Truman era witchhunting, The Volunteer abruptly ended his military career. Journal of the Carter’s daughter-in-law, Allene Carter, has led a Veterans of the long crusade to have his military record corrected. Abraham Lincoln Brigade an ALBA publication 799 Broadway, Rm 227 JJoinoin thethe DDiscussioniscussion New York, NY 10003 OnlineOnline (212) 674-5552 During the past few months, ALBA’s on-line discus- sion group has had a 20% increase in membership, Editorial Board predominantly due to the interest of Europeans who sub- Peter Carroll • Leonard Levenson scribed to the site. The work of the ALBA members present Fraser Ottanelli • Abe Smorodin at the Madrid Forum on the International Brigades last and Bill Susman November has encouraged many newcomers to partici- pate in the list. Design Production There are currently 190 members, with new sign-ups Richard Bermack every week. This list is the only predominately English Editorial Assistance language discussion group on the subject, although we do Anne Taibleson and Ann Fraser accept and encourage contributions in other languages, mainly Spanish and French. By far the largest proportion Proofreading of members are in the United States, although the Nancy Van Zwalenburg European contingent currently represents 25%, with Spain Submission of Manuscripts the largest contributor, followed closely by the United Please send manuscripts by E-mail or on disk. Kingdom. The “postings,” or contributions, are circulated E-mail: [email protected] as far and wide as Australia, New Zealand and Finland and as close to “home” as Mexico and Canada. 2 THE VOLUNTEER, Spring 2000 Letters to ALBA BBrriiggaaddiieerr NNeewwss Dear brothers: By Moe Fishman I am a Puertorican studying the Spanish Civil War for With the dwindling number of International the last four years, as part of a doctoral thesis. In the book Brigade veterans all over the world causing diminished “Un mexicano en la Guerra Civil Española” (“A mexican capacity to function, several organizations have sprung in the Spanish Civil War”) by Néstor Sánchez Hernández, I up consisting of friends (and relatives) of the I.B. There found a photo where the author mentioned that the are currently such organizations in England, Ireland, Lincoln Brigade was composed of americans, cubans and Denmark, Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, Russia and puertoricans. In another book, “Voluntarios americanos en France. We are all aware of the Association of Amigos la Guerra Civil Española” (“American volunteers in the de Brigados International/Friends of the International Spanish Civil War”), by Cecil Eby, on page 57, the author Brigade (AABI) in Spain. Ana Perez, its president, mentions that more than a dozen puertoricans were mem- writes that she is in touch with all of these associations. bers of the Cubans Column, “Antonio Guiteras,” of the It occurs to the writer that friends and relatives of the Lincoln Brigade. On page 45 of the last book, the author Abraham Lincoln Brigade should form similar organiza- mentions that all members of the Brigades gave their tions in this country and become ALBA “associates.” names, nationalities, photos, and filled out a questionaire With our membership down and posts of veterans in Albacete, Spain. down to just the New York and Bay Area (San I understand that for all puertoricans it must be an Francisco), the infusion of friends and relatives would honor to know the names, particularities and participa- give us a “shot in the arm.” tions of their brothers in the Spanish Civil War, and if This from Bobby Hall in Chicago: “Last night the possible the photos of them. Chicago Friends of the Lincoln Brigade co- sponsored a [email protected] program at the University of Chicago on the occasion of José Alejandro Ortiz Carrión African-American History Month. The main topic was Langston Hughes and his experiences in Spain. It was attended by a mix of about half students and half com- munity old-timers. There was a lively exchange. We reached some international students and we sold some Response from Christopher Brooks, ALBA Biographical books.” Dictionary. The following is a list of volunteers identified John Kailin of Madison, Wisconsin, tells me that as as Puerto Ricans: a result of large public participation in the successful k-Bauza, Ulyses Pacheo Padre, Antonio effort to erect the monument in that city, such a “friends k-Carbonell Cuevas, Pablo Queipo Sanchez, Pablo and relatives” organization is being formed. Would like Carbonell, Fernando (Puerto Rican?) to hear of interest in such a project in your area. For k-Carbonell Cuevas, Jorge Rivera, Ferdinand more information on how to become an ALBA “associ- Carbonell, Victor A. Sanchez Vasquez, Adolfo ate” drop us a note at 799 Broadway or look us up on Cofresi, Manuel Seno Martinez, Pedro the web at http://www.alba-valb.org Colon Velez, Baudilio Urbina, Cesar While waiting to get into the current Woody Allen Cuesta Enamorado, Jose Usera, Vincent (born in movie, I wandered into the film My Dog Skip. Imagine k-Delgado Delgado, Puerto Rico) my surprise! The father of the young hero of the film Carmelo Yepes Manuel, Victor (actor Kevin Bacon) had lost a leg in the Spanish Civil Delgado, Emilio War. Later in the film someone says, “He should have k-Falu, Natividad I hope this information will gotten a medal.” How about that! Garcia, Angel Ocasio be helpful. I am looking for On December 9, 1999, in New York, our comrade Gotay, Ruben (Montalro) additional information on Martin Balter calls me all excited: “Moe you have to Gravel, Fernandez (uncon- all of these volunteers. The watch Bill Beutel, the commentator on Channel 7, ABC, firmed) material will appear in the tomorrow night at 6 p.m. It’s going to be about me and Iduarte, Andre ALBA Biographical the war in Spain.” I called a number of people even Lopez, Jules Herman Dictionary, though I was a bit skeptical, I admit. Sure enough, k-Martinez, Felipe Christopher Brooks toward the end of the news report, on comes Marty Moll Gonzalez, Fernando [email protected] being interviewed on why he volunteered to fight Moll Gonzalez, Francisco Franco and what he did there, interspersed with shots of the war.