Biography
Strauss, Walter Frederick. b. February 27, 1910, Rhode Island; High School education; US Army Air Corps, 78 Pursuit Squadron, Aviation Mechanic from 1932-35, Rank PFC; Father Adolf Strauss, mother Frieda Strauss; Single; Mechanic and white collar worker; YCL August 1936; Received Passport# 375946 on March 17, 1937 which listed his address as 233 Lowell Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island; Sailed March 24, 1937 aboard the Manhattan; Arrived in Spain on April 15, 1937; Served with the XV Brigade, Washington Battalion, Estado Mayor, Transmissions; Deserted July 15, 1937, sent to Camp Lukacs; Later transferred to Artillery, 11th Regiment, 2nd Group, 14th Battery (John Brown Battery), 155mm Guns, Sanidad, and Transmissions; Served at Jarama, Brunete, and Extramadura; Returned to the US on February 4, 1939 aboard the President Harding; WWII US Army, Tec 5; d. (January) February 29, 1974, buried in Monterey City Cemetery, Monterey, California.
Sources: Sail; Scope of Soviet Activity; Washington; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 849, ll. 6, Special List for Personnel Service, Deserters Who Are Now in Spain, January 16, 1938; Opis 6, Delo 996, ll. 10-21 (includes two hand-written letters); L-W Tree Ancestry; Find-a-Grave# 144020943.
Photograph: Walter Strauss. Photograph from newspaper clipping.
Sources: Sail; Scope of Soviet Activity; Washington; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 849, ll. 6, Special List for Personnel Service, Deserters Who Are Now in Spain, January 16, 1938; Opis 6, Delo 996, ll. 10-21 (includes two hand-written letters); L-W Tree Ancestry; Find-a-Grave# 144020943.
Photograph: Walter Strauss. Photograph from newspaper clipping.