Joseph Isaac Siegel

https://alba-valb.org/volunteers/joseph-isaac-siegel/

Siegel, Joseph Isaac. (Siegel, Joseph Jacob); b. January 20, 1916, Boston, Massachusetts; Jewish; 3 years college; Single; Student and Clerk; YCL 1933, lit. agent; Received Passport# 4395 Boston series on June 8, 1937 which listed his address as 13 (43) Deering Road, Mattapan, Massachusetts; Sailed June 16, 1937 aboard the Aquitania; Arrived in Spain via Espolla on June 28, 1937; Served with the XV Brigade, Lincoln-Washington Battalion, 24th Battalion; Served at Quinto, Belchite, Teruel, Segura de los Baños, the Retreats, and the Ebro Offensive; WIA July 25, 1938; Deserted after Belchite but was caught and brought back to Brigade, became ill and was rehabilitated, assigned to Tarazona as of January 1938; Returned to the US on December 20, 1938 aboard the Ausonia; d. March 23, 1972, Los Angeles, California. Note on evaluation stated: Has deserted once in September 1937. But this desertion was not from front lines and was really a leave without permission. Came back to Brigade and worked well afterwards.
Sources: Sail; Scope of Soviet Activity; Cadre; Figueres List; RGASPI (and under Seigel, Joseph Jacob) 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 985, ll. 3-; ALBA 096 Joseph Siegel Papers; (obituary note) The Volunteer, April 1973.