Oliver Law was an organizer and political agitator. He volunteered to go to Spain very early during the Spanish Civil War and in spite of a well organized non intervention pact by many countrys, USA included, fought for the 2nd Spanish Republic against Franco's Nationalist (facist) forces. He had prior military experience (some say overstated) in the US Army and with this rose to command a mostly white force called the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. As such Law was the first ever black officer to command white US Army troops. He was killed while leading an attack against a machine gun on Mosquito Ridge during the Brunete offensive. He is buried there as reported by James Yates in his book Mississippi to Madrid. The grave was temporary and simple. The Nationalist's were not known for preserving Republican graves.
Oliver Law was an organizer and political agitator. He volunteered to go to Spain very early during the Spanish Civil War and in spite of a well organized non intervention pact by many countrys, USA included, fought for the 2nd Spanish Republic against Franco's Nationalist (facist) forces. He had prior military experience (some say overstated) in the US Army and with this rose to command a mostly white force called the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. As such Law was the first ever black officer to command white US Army troops. He was killed while leading an attack against a machine gun on Mosquito Ridge during the Brunete offensive. He is buried there as reported by James Yates in his book Mississippi to Madrid. The grave was temporary and simple. The Nationalist's were not known for preserving Republican graves.
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