Philip Detro | |
|---|---|
 Detro in 1937 | |
| Born | (1911-05-17)May 17, 1911 Conroe, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | April 10, 1938(1938-04-10) (aged 26) Murcia, Spain |
| Allegiance | United States Spanish Republic |
| Branch | United States National Guard International Brigades |
| Years of service | 1937–1938 |
| Rank | Battalion Commander |
| Unit | Texas National Guard The "Abraham Lincoln" XV International Brigade |
| Commands | Lincoln Battalion |
| Battles / wars | |
| Education | Rice University University of Missouri |
| Political party | Democratic |
Philip Leighton Detro (May 17, 1911 – April 10, 1938) was an American writer, poet, and sailor who fought for theRepublicans in theSpanish Civil War as a member of theAbraham Lincoln Brigade. He served as commander of theLincoln Battalion during the battles ofFuentes de Ebro andTeruel.
Philip Detro was born inConroe, Texas, on May 17, 1911.[1] He graduated fromConroe High School in 1928[2] and studied atRice University before dropping out to become amerchant seaman. In 1932, he traveled toGermany where, after hearing a speech byAdolf Hitler, he decided to become ananti-fascist.[3]
Two years later, he decided to become a writer, and enrolled in a journalism program at theUniversity 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 toNew York City, where he worked for a writers' union and devoted himself to writing.[4]
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When the Spanish Civil War broke out, Detro tried to volunteer for the Abraham Lincoln Battalion to defend theSecond Spanish Republic; but theCommunist Party initially rejected him for not being a member. He was later admitted (thanks in part to his experience in theTexas 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 PresidentFranklin 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]
InTarazona he commanded a squadron. InBrunete he took charge ofHans 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 theBattle of Belchite, at the end of which he became battalion commander.[8]
Detro was wounded by a sniper inTeruel 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 atMurcia, where he died ofsepticemia 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 hispolitical commissar, Fred Keller: "Where I come from, we shoot Communists."[12]
Media related toPhilip Detro at Wikimedia Commons