Rissanen, Tuomas Taisto. (Rissane, Thomas Tito; Ross, Thomas); b. October 31, 1911, Astoria, Oregon; Finnish American, Father Ako August Rissane, mother Aino (J. L.) Hautamaki; 2 years college Maestros, Buffalo, NY; No prior military experience; Single; Funeral parlor director and Mortician; CP February 5, 1937 (1927); Received Passport# 429311 on May 29, 1937 which listed his address as 59 Trinity Place, and 78 St. James Place, both Buffalo, New York, and Detroit, Michigan (23096 Carlisle Hagel Street, Royal Oak, Michigan); Sailed June 4, 1937 aboard the Statendam; Arrived in Spain via Espolla on June 23, 1937; Trained in Tarazona, 2nd BN of Instruction June 26 to September 9, 1937; Served with the XV BDE, Washington BN, MG Co., Section 1; Mackenzie-Papineau BN, MG Co., Runner in Section 1; Served at Fuentes de Ebro; WIA Teruel January 19, 1938, shrapnel, in hospital January 22 to March 10, 1938, Sabadell No. 8 and Vich for recovery; Rejoined BDE on March 12, 1938 though it took a further 24 hours to link up with the Mackenzie-Papineau MG Co. Enlace, Clerk and Chief Enlace; Rank Cabo; Served at Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Retreats (Hijar and Alcaniz, Batea, Gandesa, Caspe) and the Ebro Offensive; WIA July 25, 1938, shrapnel, in hospital July 26 to November 15, 1938; Returned to the US on December 20, 1938 aboard the Ausonia; Married Emilia Pehrman on April 16, 1941, NYC; WWII Merchant Marine; Killed in action January 1, 1943, when the Liberty ship Arthur Middleton was torpedoed, he was serving as a Messman on the ship, Merchant Marine ID 1369; Spoke English, Finnish, Spanish, and Italian.

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Siblings: brothers Unto Rissanen (1910-?), David Rissanen (1912-?), Robert Rissanen (1918-?), Norman Rissanen (1920-?), sister Marie Rissanen (1907-?).

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Sources: Scope of Soviet Activity; Cadre; Figueres List; Mac-Paps; Washington; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 972, ll. 17-25; Finnish; Pacific NW; MPE; (obituary under Tom Rissanen) The Volunteer, V 4, #6 March 1943, VALB Office File (indicates Torpedoed). Code A