Oliver Law facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oliver Law
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| Born | 23 October 1900 Texas, United States of America |
| Died | 9 July 1937 (aged 36) Mosquito Crest (Mosquito Hill), Spain |
| Allegiance | United States of America. Communist Party USA Second Spanish Republic. |
| Service/ |
United States Army. International Brigade. |
| Rank | Commander |
| Commands held | Commander of the Lincoln Battalion |
| Spouse(s) | Corrine Booker Light-foot |
Oliver Law was an important African-American leader. He was born on October 23, 1900, and died on July 9, 1937. He worked to help workers get fair treatment. He also fought in the Spanish Civil War to support the Republic. He became a commander of the Abraham Lincoln Battalion, a group of American volunteers.
Contents
Early Life and Work
Oliver Law was born in west Texas in 1900. When he was 19, he joined the U.S. Army in 1919. He served as a private in the 24th Infantry Regiment. This was an African-American army unit stationed near the Mexican border. He stayed in the army until 1925.
After leaving the army, Law moved to Bluffton, Indiana. There, he worked in a cement factory. Later, he moved to Chicago, where he drove a taxi. During the Great Depression, it was hard to find work. He found a job as a stevedore, which is someone who loads and unloads ships. He also joined a union for these workers.
Law then tried to open a small restaurant, but it did not succeed. He later got a job with the Works Progress Administration. This was a government program that created jobs during the Great Depression.
Standing Up for Rights
Oliver Law was very active in helping people. He joined the Communist Party in 1932. This party believed in a system where everyone shares resources. He also worked with a group called the International Labor Defense.
In the 1930s, he helped organize protests. He worked with Harry Haywood to protest Italy's invasion of Ethiopia. This was during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. Law was arrested in Chicago in 1935 while speaking at one of these protests.
Oliver Law was married to Corrine Booker Light-foot. She was the mother of Claude Lightfoot, another leader in the Communist Party.
Fighting in the Spanish Civil War
In 1936, Oliver Law decided to join the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. This was a group of American volunteers. They went to Spain to fight against Francisco Franco and his Nationalist forces. Law arrived in Spain on January 16, 1937. He wanted to help the Popular Front government.
Law joined the International Brigades in Albacete. He first served as a group leader in a machine-gun company. This company was fighting on the Jarama front. He showed great skill in battle.
The Battle of Jarama
General Francisco Franco tried to cut off Madrid from the rest of Republican Spain. His forces crossed the Jarama River in February 1937. General José Miaja sent the International Brigades to stop them. Law first fought on February 17.
After a difficult day of fighting, Law had performed very well. He was quickly promoted to section leader. Just two weeks later, he became the commander of the machine-gun company. This happened after his previous commander was killed. Many leaders of the battalion were lost at Jarama. Law quickly rose through the ranks because of his bravery and skill.
Becoming a Commander
An experienced commander named Martin Hourihan saw Law's abilities. He wanted to send Law to officer's training school. But Hourihan became ill. So, Law was chosen to take his place temporarily.
Later, Hourihan moved to a different role. The choice for the new battalion commander was between Law and Walter Garland. Garland was still recovering from injuries. So, Oliver Law was chosen. He led the Abraham Lincoln Battalion at the start of the Battle of Brunete.
The Battle of Brunete and Law's Death
In early July, the Popular Front government launched a big attack. They wanted to reduce the threat to Madrid. General Vicente Rojo Lluch sent the Republican Army to Brunete. They challenged the Nationalist control of the areas near the capital.
The Republican soldiers made good progress at first. But General Francisco Franco brought in more of his troops. This stopped the Republican advance. The International Brigades also suffered many losses. Oliver Law was killed on July 9, 1937. He was leading his men in an attack on a place called Mosquito Crest, also known as Mosquito Hill.
See also
In Spanish: Oliver Law para niños
