Nelson, Steve, 1903-1993

Steve Nelson was born Stjepan Mesaroš in Croatia, and emigrated to the United States with his family after World War I. He was a labor activist and organizer, Communist Party official, Political Commissar in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, and National Commander of the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade (VALB). During his time in Spain he took part in the Brunete offensive, as well as the battles of Quinto and Belchite. He was wounded at Belchite, and then was recalled to the United States by the Communist Party leadership to report on Spain.During the 1940s, he rose to the top ranks of the Communist Party. Following a raid on the Pittsburgh Communist Party headquarters in 1950, Nelson was convicted and imprisoned under the Pennsylvania Sedition Act and the Federal Smith Act, with professional FBI informant Matt Cvetic serving as witness for the prosecution. In 1957 he left the Communist Party following Khrushchev's revelations of the atrocities that occurred under Stalins regime. Nelson authored two memoirs and an autobiography.

From the description of Steve Nelson papers, 1937-1991 (bulk 1950-1985). (New York University). WorldCat record id: 476137225

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