Biography
Sills, Benjamin. b. May 19, 1913, Brooklyn, New York; Jewish; Graduated from High School and attended the City College of New York; Single; Seaman (NMU and SUP); CP May 15, 1935 and IWW; Received Passport# 29848, San Francisco series, on June 21, 1937 which listed his address as 438 A Monroe Street, Brookline, New York; Sailed July 3, 1937 aboard the Berengaria; Arrived in Spain via Setcases on July 21, 1937; Served with the XV Brigade, Brigade, Scout at Quinto and Belchite; Promoted to Company Commissar in Lincoln-Washington Battalion, Co. 1 by Phil Detro; Later attached to the 35th Corps, 15th Battalion, Company Commissar in Special MG Battalion; Served at Quinto, Belchite, Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Segura de los Baños, and the Retreats; Returned to the US on December 15, 1938 aboard the Paris; WWII Armed Forces; d. August 5, 1982; San Francisco, California.
Sources: Sail; Scope of Soviet Activity; Cadre; Figueres List; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 3, Delo 455, ll. 89-90; Good Fight C.
Photographs: Ben Sills from his carnet. Photograph from Matt White; and from his 1934 Application for Seaman’s Protection Certificate, L-W Tree Ancestry.
Sources: Sail; Scope of Soviet Activity; Cadre; Figueres List; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 3, Delo 455, ll. 89-90; Good Fight C.
Photographs: Ben Sills from his carnet. Photograph from Matt White; and from his 1934 Application for Seaman’s Protection Certificate, L-W Tree Ancestry.
