2024 Year End Passport Project Update
The first thirty-six Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for Phase IV were submitted December 30, 2024. Phase IV is intended to focus on volunteers on whom we have minimal information.
At some point in the future, I plan to resubmit some volunteers who were returned as not found or on whom no information was returned. However, in the last couple of months FOIA returns have come in from Phase I submissions that went in in 2019. Positive returns are FOIAs that found either a passport application, certificate of Identity or both. Master Index indicates that the passport was destroyed in the 1980s and only an index card remains to verify a passport was issued.
To date we have:
Filed 2,410
Positive Returns 655
Master Index 51
Not Found 44
In many instances the researchers pulling the files have provided additional information. These are greatly appreciated and often add additional details that we might not otherwise find. Two recent returns stand out.
First – John Russell Connely was submitted in Phase II. He sailed for Europe on December 1, 1937 and returned to the US on December 18, 1938. It was clear that he was never in Spain but, it was not clear why he returned.
Along with his passport application a copy of a letter written by Connely to the State Department in December 1948 led to the answer. Connely was requesting the return of his passport that was confiscated in 1937. He indicated that in May 1938 he was acquitted in Federal court on the charge that led to his detention. Dr. Ray Hoff who I shared the question with found an article in The Escanaba Daily Press, dated March 26, 1938 that solved the question. The article, “Postal Clerk Returned Here, Connelly is Brought Here by Federal Agents from New York.” noted that Connelly was arrested by Federal Agents aboard ship and returned to Escanaba where he was jailed and held on a $5,000 bond. He was charged with illegally cashing a $25 check while working for the Escanaba Post Office. The article went on to say that Connelly was on his way to Spain to join the International Brigades where his brother William Julius Connelly* was already serving. It is not clear whether the government allowed Connelly to regain his passport.
Second – James Adrian Gunning was submitted in Phase I. Gunning a seaman, enrolled in the IB in Albacete on September 27, 1937. He graduated from the XV BDE Officer Training School at Tarazona on February 28, 1938. Gunning was reported killed in action on April 3, 1938, during The Retreats. This is not an unusual entry at face value, but the documents included with his passport application make his case stand out as it demonstrates the lengths that some families made to keep their loved ones from going to Spain.
Gunning initially applied for a passport on January 8, 1937. He sent an accompanying letter January 8, 1936[sic 1937] in which he indicates he was issued with a Seaman’s Certificate of Identity in 1931 but stated that he lost his certificate in 1934. Apparently, the issue of the passport was held up because of the Seaman’s Certificate.
Elmar Waldrow from the Passport Agency in the Subtreasury Building in New York City wrote Mrs. Ruth Bielaski Shipley, Chief of the State Department Passport Division on January 12, 1937 in regard to Gunning’s passport. He stated-
Dear Mrs. Shipley:
Returned herewith is your letter of January 11th addressed to Mr. Hoyt and which concerns the passport application you are holding of James Adrian Gunning. Also attached is Mr. Gunning’s seaman’s certificate.
When Mr. Gunning called at the Agency this morning, he was informed that the Department was communicating with him direct asking that he make a further search for his seaman’s certificate. Mr. Gunning maintained that he ahd not received the Department’s letter and that his seaman’s certificate was lost and he had no idea of where it could be. He was told that it would be necessary for him to make another search.
He returned this afternoon and surrendered the attached certificate. He stated that he was booked to sail tomorrow but that he would cancel his booking until he receives his passport. He is in possession of a return ticket but which bears no set date for his return.
Gunning also wrote a letter to Mr[s]. R. B. Shipley, Chief of the Passport Division dated January 15, 1936 [1937]. He wrote –
Dear Sir,
In accordance with your wish to ascertain in full my reasons for applying for a Passport, I submit the following statement.
It is my intention to go from this country to either Cherbourg or Le Havre, France, and then to the North of that same country, my ultimate destination being Dunkerque, on the Belgian Frontier.
My reasons for making this voyage are purely educational and recreational, and I can assure you that I have no intention of engaging in any activities which might be injurious to my status as and American Citizen. It is probable that I might return to America in November of this year, but to allow me a months leeway I request that my passport be made out for one year. My Seamans Certificate has been returned to the Bureau.
Having been informed of your reluctance to issue a passport to a seaman for any greater length of time than necessary, I promise to give up said passport immediately upon my return to this country.
Sincerely yours,
J. A. Gunning
Gunning’s mother wrote a letter to Mrs. Shipley on January 17, 1937 [date is partially cut off in the photocopy]. She stated –
In respone to the case #130 of James A. Gunning who has applied for a passport to go to France but said he had been unable to find his seamanship papers.
Yesterday, on receiving your letter he went again to the Sub. Treasury [Sub Treasury] Dept. made another application informing them he had found his papers.
My dear Mrs. Shipley I know his passage is being paid for by Communists to go to France, and then sent to Spain.; alas his passage which had to be revoked on the Aquitania was paid by the Reds through some steamship organization.
When he was first informed he had to 165.00 or the receipt for a return passage he went to this steamship agency and received from them a receipt showing he had pain 15.00 deposit, which I know as his Mother he never had.
Is there anyway you can refuse to issue a passport to him? I can assure you I am heartsick over the whole situation. I wrote last week to your department in reference to this case.
Yours respectfully
Mrs. Edward T. Gunning
Gunning’s mother wrote a follow-on letter to the State Department that was stamped received on April 21, 1937. This letter provides an overview of the clandestine recruiting operation. Her letter stated-
Gentlemen,
I am begging you to help me, my son James Adrian Gunning, is to request a passport tomorrow in New York City for France.
But this passport has been paid by Communist at 40 Clinton Street Newark New Jersey Room 512. With the understanding that he with many other Americans young men then embark for Spain; as they are to be sent ‘tourist’ next week on a ship sailing for France I have read the letter they mailed him it stated Comrade If you wish to continue to avail yourself at Baley Institute call, at the above address and ask for Lena signed J-a-y.
He also had one from East 18 Av SW, New York City but it had no address but was signed by the same person.
I called the American asking for information and was advised by a Mr. Stanton to write to the United States Atty. Southern Division Federal Building, New York City and I am but Mr. Stanton Told me later “they” had sent a man over there to investigate and at the address they denied all knowledge – of course they would – They claim they are only collecting old clothes and money. Personally, I think it rather foolish to have asked them to now they will take greater precaution than ever, as they have a fixity of purpose behind them and strange as it may seem they are unwavering in their fidelity to this organization.
This boy is an idealist, having just returned from South America about three weeks ago, and entered this strike.
I would appreciate if it were possible if my name could be kept out of it as I fear he will not tell me anymore of his secrets and go “away” and I would never hear from him. At the present time while he knows I am heartsick over it and am hoping something may turn up to prevent his going – still he trusts me as always. He has no father. Naturally I am alarmed therefore my appeal to you.
Sincerely hoping you may help me.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gunning
_______________
*William Julius Connelly sailed to Europe on September 4, 1937 aboard the Champlain. Connelly crossed the Pyrenees arriving in Spain via the Massanet smuggling route on September 16, 1937. He served with the XVth Brigade, Lincoln-Washington Battalion. William Connelly was killed in action on April 1, 1938, near Gandesa, during the Retreats. His FOIA was part of Phase I.
