Biography
Koppal, Valentine S. Diaz Garcia (Koppal, Valentine Diaz Garcia; Koppel); b. April 16, 1902 (1903), Estonia; Estonian American; Father Theodor, Merchant, mother Maria; Estonian American; High School education; Served in the Estonian Navy 1918-20, rank Private; Single; Linotype Operator and Driver; Domicile 61 E. 121st Street, NYC; Belgian CP 1921; CP USA; British Sailors and Firemans Union (January 1921 to November 1922), Estonian Worker’s Club, Worker’s Ex-Service Mens League; Sailed January 19, 1938 aboard the President Roosevelt; Traveled on a Spanish Passport; Arrived in Spain February 19, 1938; Trained at Tarazona February 22-March 14, 1938; Served with the XV BDE, Lincoln-Washington, Co. 1, March 14-April 3, 1938; Co. 2, April 3-July 27, 1938; Hospital Mataro July 29-Aughust 5, 1938; Moya August 5–September 2, 1938; Las Planas September 2-September 17, 1938; Rec. Camp Plot September 17-October 30, 1938; Rank Cabo (May 1938); Served in the Retreats near Batea and Ebro Offensive; WIA July 27, 1938, right thigh, in hospital Matero July 29-August 5, 1938, Moya May 8-September 2, 1938, Las Planas September 2-September 17, 1938; Olot September 17-October 30, 1938; Likely entered the US illegally.Sibling: brother August Koppal and sister Martha Koppal.
Source: Pay; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 1516, ll. 130- 148 (includes a brief autobiographical sketch in request to join CP and several letters)
Photographs: Valentin Koppel, RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 1516; and Koppel, Lincoln-Washington, May 1938. The 15th International Brigade Photographic Unit Photograph Collection; ALBA Photo 11; ALBA Photo number 11-0210. Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.
