Biography
Mack, Henry. (Maki, Henry; [real name] Arvitt, Oni August); b. November 22, 1909, Pylkonnaki, Finland, To the US in 1912; Naturalized March 1, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio; Finnish American; Father Herny Mack (1874-1928), mother Lyyli Alfhilda Lehtonen “Lily” Mack (1891-1966); High School education; No prior military service; Single; Automobile worker and Rubber worker, 1930-1932 unemployed, CP unit organizer, state committee and section comm; CP 1932, organizer for the United Autoworkers of America, and Spanish CP; Domicile Ohio and Bessemer, Pennsylvania; 28 years Old; Sailed March 10, 1937 aboard the Washington; Arrived in Spain on March 28, 1937 over the pyrenees; Served with the XI BDE (Thaelman), 1st “Edgar Andre” BN, MG Co., Section Leader; Rank Sargento; Served at Guadalajara and Brujela; WIA June 24, 1937 Guadalajara, after recovery attended OTS September and October 1937 was assigned as an instructor and company commander in OTS from November to February 1938 (teaching MG use); Transferred to XV BDE, Mackenzie-Papineau BN, joined during the Retreats, assigned as Company Commander Co. 3 and briefly as acting Commander for the BN; Became Commander No. 2 Company after Cecil Smith's return; WIA September 23, 1938 Corbera during Ebro Offensive on September 21, 1938 in legs and back, hospital Murcia and Orihuela about 2 months then 2 week in Mataro; Rank Sargento, Teniente March 29, 1938; Subsequently promoted to Captain October 1, 1938 while in hospital; Was briefly detained in a French Concentration camp; Returned to the US on August 3, 1939 aboard the Washington under the name Heika Eino Mottenen; Married Lillian Hoffman (1917-1985) on February 13, 1941; d. February 25, 1976, Kernville, Kern, California.
Siblings: brothers Neil Adolph Mack (1918-1984), Oliver Mack (1922-?), sisters Helvi Marie Mack Kari (1920-2006), Elma Lily Mack Willis (1924-2015), half-siblings Arleen Mack (1926-?), and Paul Mack (1929?).
Sources: Inventory North Americans (under Arvit); Pay; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 558, ll. 1 (fiche); Opis 6, Delo 939, ll. 4-26; Canadian; Momryk; Petrou; Finnish; MPE; (obituary notice) The Volunteer, May 1976.
Photographs: Lieutenant Henry Mack, Company 2, Mackenzie-Papineau, May 1938. The 15th International Brigade Photographic Unit Photograph Collection; ALBA Photo 11; ALBA Photo number 11-1302. Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.
Siblings: brothers Neil Adolph Mack (1918-1984), Oliver Mack (1922-?), sisters Helvi Marie Mack Kari (1920-2006), Elma Lily Mack Willis (1924-2015), half-siblings Arleen Mack (1926-?), and Paul Mack (1929?).
Sources: Inventory North Americans (under Arvit); Pay; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 558, ll. 1 (fiche); Opis 6, Delo 939, ll. 4-26; Canadian; Momryk; Petrou; Finnish; MPE; (obituary notice) The Volunteer, May 1976.
Photographs: Lieutenant Henry Mack, Company 2, Mackenzie-Papineau, May 1938. The 15th International Brigade Photographic Unit Photograph Collection; ALBA Photo 11; ALBA Photo number 11-1302. Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.