Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives
Volunteers
Yrjo Johannes Aalto
ALB Archival Materials
Search the Tamiment ArchivesReferences
Jyrki Juusela Biographical Sketch, Wrote "Memories of War" published in Finnish Paper; K. E. Heikkinen, ed., Meidan Poikamme Espanjassa (Our Boys in Spain), Finnish Workers Federation, USA, Inc., 1939. translated by Matti A. Mattson.
Full Database Record
| Last Name | Aalto |
| First/Middle Name | Yrjo Johannes |
| Ethnicity | Finnish American |
| Ethnicity Note | |
| Immigration Status | |
| Religion | |
| POW | |
| AKA Last Name 1 | |
| AKA First / Middle 1 | Yrjo John |
| AKA Last Name 2 | |
| AKA First / Middle 2 | |
| DOB | 1/27/1903 |
| City | |
| State | |
| Foreign Nation | Finland |
| Foreign Nation City | |
| Alt Pob State, City | |
| Family: Name | |
| Family: Relationship | |
| Family: Begin Date | |
| Family: End Date | |
| Family: Comments | |
| Education HS | |
| Education College / Univ 1 | |
| Education College/Univ Notes | |
| Education College/Univ 2 | |
| Graduate or Doctoral Work | |
| Graduate or Doctoral Work Notes | |
| Prior Military Service | Finnish Civil War, Served in Red Guards during 1918 |
| Passport # | |
| Passport Series | |
| Passport Reported Lost in Spain | |
| Passport Age | 34 |
| Passport Date | |
| PP or Known Address Street | |
| PP or Known Address City | New York |
| PP or Known Address State | New York |
| ALT City | |
| Alt State | |
| Sail Date | 7/28/1937 |
| Ship | Washington |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Marital Notes | |
| Vocation 1 | Seaman |
| Vocation 2 | |
| Vocation 3 | |
| Party Affiliation | |
| Date Affiliation | |
| ALT Affiliation | |
| ALT date | |
| ALT affiliation 2 | |
| Arrival (in Spain) Date | |
| Units served with | XV BDE, Mackenzie-Papineau BN, MG Co., Finnish Section, trained for guerrilla work, XIII BDE then back to XV |
| Battle action | |
| Rank | |
| Returned Date | |
| Returned other | |
| WWII Service | |
| DOD | |
| Cause | |
| Place Died City | |
| KIA/MIA/Died other | |
| KIA/MIA/Died other Date | |
| KIA/MIA/Died other Location | |
| KIA/MIA/Died other Battle | |
| Additional Notes |
Biography
At Fuentes received citation for his conduct during battle. To hospital for various illnesses. Requested transfer to guerrillas. Attended school for guerrillas. Sent to Albacete to await orders was jailed there for intoxication. Transferred to 129th BN that was undergoing training. Returned to the front during the Retreats. With XIII BD, deserted to XV BD. Rejoined Mac-Paps, MG Co. After Retreats Aalto atttempted to get to Barcelona, he was apprehended and sent to Taragona Camp. He was a witness to the execution of the three Finns. After May 1, 1938 he returned to the XV BD, he spent 12 days in hospital due to stomach pains, thereafter returned to front and remained with Co. 2 until WIA on July 27, 1938. Left Spain on October 19, 1938 among group of 200 wounded veterans.