Gabriella Perez-Hernandez

HONS 2011J

Prof. Hernandez-Odeja

16 December 2020

Louis “Lou” Gordon

At the start of this course, I knew very little about the Spanish Civil War. Over the course of this semester, I learned immensely about the complicated tensions in Spain and on the global stage the years prior to the breakout of the war. Viewing the struggles of the war through the perspective of a veteran, Louis Gordon, and learning about the dynamic life he continued to lead after his involvement in the conflict revealed to me not only the long-lasting impacts of this often overlooked conflict, but the potential a single person has to be an advocate for the rights of the common people. I started my research process for this project by searching the Digital Tamiment database, where I came across an interview with Lou Gordon about his experiences in the Spanish Civil War and his career in trade unions. Next, I conducted interviews with his wife Anne Gordon and his son Luke Gordon in order to gain a more detailed picture of Lou’s life and achievements. Embarking on this project and studying the course materials challenged my feelings of apathy towards the ongoings of the world around me. While researching Lou Gordon and learning about his early upbringing as a member of the Communist Party and his strong commitment to the protection of human liberties and worker’s rights throughout his lifetime, I found that there are countless ways to bring about change in the world. Before, I often thought the only way to make significant progress was through specific involvement in an organization or political party. However, now I see that in reality, every action I do in support of others is an exact expression of my own values. Lou’s dedication to his core belief of helping others is what drove him to Spain, and what shaped his actions in the decades that followed.

The Spanish Civil War brought up significant concerns about the rise of fascism, the effectiveness of radical political ideologies, and intervention in foreign affairs. One of the ways we explored these themes of the Spanish Civil War and the conflicts it raised was through the viewpoints of American veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. The two central forces in the Spanish Civil War were the Republicans and the Nationalists. The Republicans represented the democratically elected government of Spain, the Spanish Republic, established in 1931 after the fall of the Spanish monarchy. This government was extremely progressive for its time, most notably for establishing a secular school system and expanding the rights of women. These actions were especially radical in contrast to the operations of the former Catholic Spanish monarchy and even more so when compared to the traditional, staunchly conservative views of Franco’s fascist Nationalist party. In July of 1936, Franco’s army staged a coup of the republican government, setting off the Spanish Civil War. After the initial breakout of the war in 1936, the Republicans soon needed reinforcement in the form of manpower, much like the support the Nationalists received from fascist nations Germany and Italy. Despite this battle of ideologies and battle for the continuation of democracy, many nations stayed neutral on the matter, refusing to become involved in supporting the Republican Army with troops, supplies, and aid. As a result, the International Brigades were established by Comintern, with the goal of garnering support from volunteers across the globe to fight in the war for the Republicans and act as doctors, nurses, and ambulance drivers, among other positions. Many people with radical and leftist ideologies joined the effort, as the conflict was seen by parties abroad as a battle of ideologies, and a chance to not only uphold a democratic nation, but hopefully enact more progressive and left-leaning policies in the long run. The Abraham Lincoln Brigade in specific was composed of nearly 3,000 American volunteers, who had to join the brigade in secret. As the United States was officially neutral in the Spanish conflict, it was illegal for any person to go to Spain with the outward intent of serving in the war. This did not prevent people from across the country from volunteering, as seen by the sheer numerical output. Volunteers were also mainly of working class backgrounds, often moved by the cause of upholding democracy and helping the Spanish people ward off a conservative coup. This was the case for Lou Gordon, who joined the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in 1937 after becoming aware of the Spanish conflict while at college. Gordon’s participation in the war was a greater reflection of his political consciousness, and shaped his actions going forward.

Louis “Lou” Gordon was born on November 15th, 1915 in Brooklyn, New York. Lou Gordon came from a family of Jewish immigrants. Before his birth, his family escaped Ukraine in the years following the First Russian Revolution in 1905. They were in fear of prosecution under the Tsar, as they were noted communists and spoke out against the regime . After being exiled to Siberia under the Tsar’s orders, they managed to smuggle themselves back to Ukraine. They quickly made arrangements to flee to New York, where a few of Hyman Gordon’s brothers were already living. Upon arriving in the United States in 1910, his family changed their last name from Gorinitsky to Gordon. Lou’s parents, Hyman and Rachel Gordon, initially took residence in East Harlem, before moving to Williamsburg, Brooklyn where they raised him and his three sisters. His father Hyman Gordon got a job at Alfred Breyer & Company, a paper plate factory. Under the American Federation of Labor, Hyman established the union Local 107 in 1917. Local 107 was the union chapter Lou went on to work under and for most of his career. From a young age, Lou was heavily involved in the Communist Party and political discourse. His family members were staunch Communists and very politically active. They motivated Lou to take part as well, having him attend strikes as early as 12 years old. During the early 1900s in New York City, there was heavy political involvement and a strong radical tradition among young working class men. Lou was engaged in this culture, with him and his friends frequently attending Young Communist League meetings, and making political speeches in the streets at 17 years old. During the Great Depression, he participated in his friend’s organization, the Progressive Youth Workers Club, where he helped evicted tenants retrieve their goods back from landlords who locked them out of their units. After graduating from Boys’ High School in Brooklyn, Lou worked at the same company as his father before attending the Labor Relations School at Cornell University.

Lou Gordon initially found out about the Spanish Civil War in 1937 while attending Cornell University. Upon learning of the Republican cause, he joined the Abraham Lincoln Brigade along with 18 other men from his neighborhood in Williamsburg. Gordon was frustrated at the United States’ non-intervention policy, as well as the blatant support for the fascist cause by select Congressmen and many businesses. Gordon arrived in Spain on June 19, 1937, after a tumultuous journey. Because it was illegal for Americans to enter the Spanish war effort, with people traveling to Spain being placed under immense suspicion, Gordon and his troop first had to enter France, then cross the Pyrenees Mountains in order to make it to the Aragon front. Once in Spain, he served as a hospital driver and a machinist. His time was marked by severe strife, as he fought in various essential locations of the war: the Aragon Front, Cordoba, and Erbo. He felt frustration at the way leadership positions were handled within the Brigade. In his view, unqualified individuals were being appointed to leadership positions, weakening their overall military strategy. In addition, the ins and outs of the war took an immense toll on his physical health, worsening after he injured his eye in the Battle of Erbo. All in all, Gordon felt a strong commitment and duty to defend Spanish democracy, but disliked some of the attitudes other soldiers of the Brigade had concerning the war. To some members of the Brigade, fighting in the war was a way of exercising their political beliefs, however to Gordon, it was the right moralistic choice to make, informed by his radical upbringing. After the disbanding of the International Brigades, Lou Gordon left Spain, after serving for a year and a half in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.

After serving in the Spanish Civil War, Gordon returned to his job for Local 107 in New York City. He felt quite bitter towards the defeat of the Republicans by the fascist forces, citing the United States’ lack of intervention as a large factor. In addition, he also felt resentment towards the structure of the Communist Party, who often gave high military positions in the Brigade to dedicated members, who often had little to no military expertise. These experiences eventually led to Gordon distancing himself from the Communist Party upon returning to the United States, however he maintained strong leftist values and dedication to similar causes throughout his lifetime. In addition, he lost many of his close childhood friends in the Spanish Civil War and in World War II later on. In 1941, Lou Gordon was one of the first people chosen for the draft upon the United States’ entry into World War II. He served in various locations in Europe, eventually earning the rank of sergeant with the Combat Engineers of the Seventh Army. Quite notably, in April of 1945, Gordon was a part of the first troops to liberate the Dachau concentration camp. After serving in World War II, Gordon returned to New York City, and continued to build his career as a union organizer for Local 107.

One perhaps unexpected side of Lou Gordon was his involvement in the folk revival scene of the 1950s. In 1954, as excitement for the folk music scene in New York City started to ramp up, Gordon, with actor and folk singer Patty Clancy, hosted and organized folk concerts known as the Swapping Song Fair. Initially, these concerts were held at the Cherry Lane Theatre in Manhattan. Patty Clancy starred in plays at the theatre with his brother Tom Clancy, and with the help of Gordon decided to host midnight folk concerts at the venue after performances. At first, these concerts were sparsely attended, and primarily meant to raise money for the Cherry Lane Theatre’s operating costs. However, in due time these concerts garnered large crowds with notable folk artists such as Rev. Gary Davis, Oscar Brand, and Jean Ritchie. As a result, they changed venues the next year to Circle-in-the-Square Theatre, and in 1956 hosted concerts at Pythian Hall with even more folk artists like Lee Hays and Pete Seeger. Lastly in 1956, they hosted a sold-out Woody Guthrie tribute concert at a midtown theatre, revealing the rapid growth of the folk revival scene in New York City. Gordon himself was a fairly skilled harmonica player, a talent he developed in his youth. Gordon’s role as a concert organizer and promoter helped further kickstart many of these now-famous folk artists’ careers, as well as nurture a musical movement that defined a generation and made long-lasting impacts on modern-day American culture.

Lou Gordon had a successful career working for Local 107 of the Paper Mill Workers Union. Here, he continued his political spirit that he acted on in the Spanish Civil War, cementing the strength and integrity of unions in New York State. Lou worked for trade unions his entire life, exhibiting great commitment to the chapter of the Paper Mill Workers Union his father helped build. His father helped establish the chapter Local 107 of the Paper Mill Workers Union within the paper plate factory, Alfred Blyer & Company. These unions advocated and helped to secure stronger rights for workers, including competitive wages, reasonable wages, and healthcare and dental benefits. As stated by both his wife Anne and son Luke, Lou fought hard as a union organizer to secure these very rights for the workers of Local 107. Under Gordon’s leadership, Local 107 grew immensely, starting from representing six different shops in the late 1930s, to representing 4,00 different shops by 1960. Soon afterwards, the Paper Mill Workers Union, later called United Paperworks merged with the Steelworkers Union, becoming the United Steelworkers of America. These very unions helped establish a new generation of middle class workers and families in the mid-20th century with said benefits. Perhaps one of his most notable achievements, Gordon founded a dental office in the company for all the workers of Local 107, ensuring them proper dental coverage, something that was often neglected by employers. Gordon was a strong proponent of oral history efforts himself, being involved in many interviews about the Spanish Civil War in later years. In addition, he engaged in numerous talks at colleges around the country, relaying stories about his time in the Spanish Civil War, along with his experiences in World War II and his storied career working in trade unions. In the late 1970s, Lou started an oral history project for Local 107, and travelled to numerous locations to interview established union leaders and longtime members. This effort was supported by workers of the union, who conducted interviews as well, effectively preserving the history of Local 107 and the Paper Mill Workers Trade Union. Along with this, Lou penned a column titled “On the Hill” for his union’s newspaper for 33 years, with an article on his experience liberating Dachau even earning him a writing award. Even in retirement, Gordon continued to oversee similar duties as a consumer advocate in Ulster County under the Consumer Fraud Bureau, and acted as a lobbyist for the United Steelworkers Union. Lou’s legacy of union building continues today, with his son Luke working for the United Steelworkers of America, securing contracts and benefits for paper workers in magazine industries.

Lou Gordon was heavily involved with ceremonies and commemorations for the veterans of the American Lincoln Brigade after his involvement in the Spanish Civil War. He attended many veteran events starting in the 1960s. From this time onward, there was increased public interest about the Lincoln Brigade veterans and increased efforts among the veterans themselves to spread awareness. He acted as an organizer for many veteran events in the 1980s and 1990s, including organizing a 50th anniversary concert for the Spanish Civil War and the Brigade at Lincoln Concert. Perhaps most notably of his work for the Lincoln Brigade veterans, he travelled to Nicaragua to help support the Sandinistas. This work echoed the same relief the Republicans received from the International Brigades in the 1930s, with the Lincoln Brigade veterans fundraising to send ambulances and medical supplies to the Sandinistas. Gordon felt a strong connection to the Sandinista cause, as they were a left-wing government fighting against a right-wing coup, much like the Spanish Republic he fought for decades ago. In fact, Gordon felt his efforts come together full-circle when coming across the same phrase used in Spain being used by the Sandinistas — “No pasarán” — meaning “they shall not pass”. Later in life, Gordon and his wife Anne frequently travelled around the world, taking special trips to Spain in the 1970s and 1980s. Anne recounts that no matter where they travelled, Lou always met with a friend from the Lincoln Brigade, where they would recount stories from their shared time in the war. On these trips to Spain, Lou was treated with high regard by locals upon revealing that he was a member of the Lincoln Brigade. He would receive thanks and praise from total strangers for fighting to defend the Spanish Republic, decades after the war had ended.

Lou Gordon died on March 25, 2006, at the age of 91, leaving behind his wife, Anne Gordon, and his son, Luke Gordon. He is currently buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in recognition for his service in World War II. Gordon led an interesting and fulfilling life, fighting in multiple global wars, securing rights for workers as a union organizer, and being a dedicated father and husband. His early radical political experiences and values shaped his initial reasons for entering the Spanish Civil War, which were somewhat tainted following the grief he experienced during and afterwards. Despite this, he maintained heavy involvement in preserving the memory of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, and supporting similar international causes throughout his lifetime.

Bibliography

Coale, Robert. “Gordon, Louis H.” June 25, 2020, accessed October 23, 2020, https://alba-valb.org/volunteers/louis-h-gordon/

Gordon, Anne, interview with the author, November 2, 2020.

Gordon, Lou. Louis Gordon – Abraham Lincoln Brigade Veteran, YouTube, interview from April 1, 1998, posted by Johns Hopkins University, March 1, 2011, accessed December 17, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81DCKBsvQEs

Gordon, Luke, interview with the author, October 30, 2020.

Interview with Lou Gordon, September 10, 1979, Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, New York University, New York, NY.

Petrus, Stephen, and Ronald D. Cohen. “Folk Music Takes Root.” Essay. In Folk City: New York and the American Folk Music Revival, 91–93. New York City, NY: Oxford University Press, 2015.

Times-Herald Record. “Louis H. Gordon – Local Obituaries.” recordonline.com. Times-Herald Record, March 29, 2006. https://www.recordonline.com/article/20060329/news0301/303299915.

Zack, Ian. “Chapter 6: Who Shall Deliver Poor Me? (1950-1955).” Essay. In Say No to the Devil: the Life and Musical Genius of Rev. Gary Davis, 81–95. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2016.