Mates, Dave.

Biography

Mates, Dave. b. April 13, 1907, Russia; Jewish; Father Morris Metropolitan (1880-?), mother Mary Metropolitan (1888-?); Labor Organizer in Detroit; Received Passport# 375965 on March 18, 1937 which listed his address as 117 Walbrooke Avenue, Staten Island, New York; Sailed March 27, 1937 aboard the Vollendam; Served with the XV BDE, Washington BN, BN Commissar; Served at Brunete; Returned to the US on January 11, 1938 aboard the Aquitania; d. March 16, 1977, Santa Clara, California; Body donated to Stanford University Medical School and his eyes to the eye bank; Wife Lydia Oken Mates (1910-1984), Son Robert David Mates (1939-1999). 
Siblings: Clara Metropolitan (1904-?), brother Max Metropolitan (1912-?). 
Sources: Sail; Scope of Soviet Activity; Washington; Repatriation List (11/30/1937, ll. 45) & (12/8/1937, ll. 51); ALBA 279 David Mates Papers.
Photographs: Mirco Markovics, Vladimir Copic and Dave Mates; International Brigade Archive, Moscow: Select Images, Folder 188: Commanders of the 15th International Brigade, 1937-38, Box 1, Folder 3; ALBA Photo 177; ALBA Photo number 177-177040. Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.; Dave Mates detail from the group photograph.