Biography
Ransom, Marcus. b. February 20, 1909, Natchez, Mississippi; African American; Father C. R. Ransom; US Army, 1930-31, 9th Cavalry, Ft. Wachuka; Elementary School education; Single; Truck driver and Construction worker (on Hoover Dam project); CP June 1937; Received Passport# 33208, San Francisco series, on January 17, 1938 which listed his address as 1265 41st Street, Los Angeles, California; Arrived in Spain via Agullana on February 15, 1938; Served with the XV BDE, Lincoln-Washington BN, Co. 2, the Retreats promoted to Section Leader; WIA Ebro Offensive; Returned to the US on January 20, 1939 aboard the Aquitania; WWII Armed forces.; Served 3 years in San Quentin beginning in 1922; Was a friend of Virgil Rhetta; Noted as to why he came to Spain, “To fight fascism and indirectly help the liberation of my people.”
Sources: Scope of Soviet Activity; Figueres List; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 967, ll. 62-64; African Americans; L-W Tree Ancestry. Code A Biography: Marcus Ransom was born in Natchez, Mississippi on February 20, 1909. As a young man he lived in Mexico, Hawaii and the Philippines. In 1922, Ransom ran afoul of the law and served three years in prison in San Quentin, California. From 1930 until 1932 he served in the U. S. Army as a trooper in the 9th Cavalry. Following his discharge Ransom moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a truck driver and joined the Communist Party in 1937. Ransom received his passport in January 1938 and departed for Europe shortly thereafter. In Spain, Ransom was assigned to the Lincoln Battalion and distinguished himself in the fighting during the Retreats. Seriously wounded during the Ebro offensive, Ransom spent the remainder of his time in Spain in the hospital. After returning to Los Angeles, Ransom moved into an artists' cooperative with fellow veteran Barney Baley. When World War II began it is believed that Ransom joined the U. S. Army. There is speculation that he may have died during WWII. ~ Chris Brooks
Photograph: Marcus Ransom. (detail from a group photograph). VALB/ALBA.
Sources: Scope of Soviet Activity; Figueres List; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 967, ll. 62-64; African Americans; L-W Tree Ancestry. Code A Biography: Marcus Ransom was born in Natchez, Mississippi on February 20, 1909. As a young man he lived in Mexico, Hawaii and the Philippines. In 1922, Ransom ran afoul of the law and served three years in prison in San Quentin, California. From 1930 until 1932 he served in the U. S. Army as a trooper in the 9th Cavalry. Following his discharge Ransom moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a truck driver and joined the Communist Party in 1937. Ransom received his passport in January 1938 and departed for Europe shortly thereafter. In Spain, Ransom was assigned to the Lincoln Battalion and distinguished himself in the fighting during the Retreats. Seriously wounded during the Ebro offensive, Ransom spent the remainder of his time in Spain in the hospital. After returning to Los Angeles, Ransom moved into an artists' cooperative with fellow veteran Barney Baley. When World War II began it is believed that Ransom joined the U. S. Army. There is speculation that he may have died during WWII. ~ Chris Brooks
Photograph: Marcus Ransom. (detail from a group photograph). VALB/ALBA.