Philip Detro
American writer (1911–1938)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Philip Leighton Detro (May 17, 1911 – April 10, 1938) was an American writer, poet, and sailor who fought for the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War as a member of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. He served as commander of the Lincoln Battalion during the battles of Fuentes de Ebro and Teruel.
Spanish Republic
Philip Detro | |
|---|---|
Detro in 1937 | |
| Born | May 17, 1911 Conroe, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | April 10, 1938 (aged 26) Murcia, Spain |
| Allegiance | United States Spanish Republic |
| Branch | United States National Guard International Brigades |
| Service years | 1937–1938 |
| Rank | Battalion Commander |
| Unit | Texas National Guard The "Abraham Lincoln" XV International Brigade |
| Commands | Lincoln Battalion |
| Conflicts | |
| Education | Rice University University of Missouri |
| Political party | Democratic |
Early life
Philip Detro was born in Conroe, Texas, on May 17, 1911.[1] He graduated from Conroe High School in 1928[2] and studied at Rice University before dropping out to become a merchant seaman. In 1932, he traveled to Germany where, after hearing a speech by Adolf Hitler, he decided to become an anti-fascist.[3]
Two years later, he decided to become a writer, and enrolled in a journalism program at the University of Missouri. He also studied Spanish and creative writing. A year later, he was expelled from the university for having 77 absences. He then moved to New York City, where he worked for a writers' union and devoted himself to writing.[4]
Spanish Civil War
,_Philip_Detro_of_Lincoln-Washington,_Garcia_24th,_O'Dair_(British)_and_Aguila_24th_Battalion_Oct_1937_Edit.png)
Standing (L-R): Robert G. Thompson (Mackenzie–Papineau), Philip Detro (Lincoln-Washington), Garcia (24th).
Seated: Paddy O'Daire (British), Aguila (24th).
When the Spanish Civil War broke out, Detro tried to volunteer for the Abraham Lincoln Battalion to defend the Second Spanish Republic; but the Communist Party initially rejected him for not being a member. He was later admitted (thanks in part to his experience in the Texas National Guard)[5] along with about twenty other volunteers.[4] Upon joining, when asked his political affiliation, he replied: "Democrat."[1] He was an admirer of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, despite the latter withholding aid to the Republicans.[6] Once in Spain, Detro met an American nurse named Lenora Temple with whom he was romantically involved.[7]
In Tarazona he commanded a squadron. In Brunete he took charge of Hans Amlie's company after the latter was wounded, and led them to Mosquito Hill, where he himself was wounded.[4] After recovering, he participated in the Battle of Belchite, at the end of which he became battalion commander.[8]
Death and legacy
Detro was wounded by a sniper in Teruel on January 19, 1938. He had been trying to cross the street between two positions without using a shallow communications trench that he saw as unsafe.[8][9] He was transferred to the hospital at Murcia, where he died of septicemia on April 10, 1938.[10] He was buried in town.[11]
Detro was remembered by his men for his sense of humor.[4] He liked to remind his political commissar, Fred Keller: "Where I come from, we shoot Communists."[12]
