Commendation card awarded posthumously to James Lardner. David Gordon (Lardner24) had a card made for Lardner before the International Brigade left Spain. Gordon was detained at a French concentration camp in February 1939 and in 1948,...
Gordon writes to Ring in order to pass along Jim's posthumous commendation for fighting fascism in Spain. Gordon apologizes for the long wait. He writes that when he was detained and searched at the French concentration camp of St. Cyprien in...
Sheean tells Jim's mother that she heard news of him last night. He has been transfered near Mora de Ebro, a quiet area with the American battalion; there is not much fighting.
Sheean will forward Mrs. Lardner's cheque to Jim, along with chocolate and books. She commiserates with Mrs. Lardner, as her own son has gone to fight in Spain.
Mrs. Lardner tells her sister she is keeping busy with Jim being away. She went into New York to watch a big fight and afterwards, spent the evening at the Stork Club. She says that she finds it hard to sit still because she is so anxious, knowing...
Mrs. Lardner writes to her sister about staying busy so she won't think about Jim in Spain. She describes her influx of house guests. Near the end of the letter, she writes about Jim; he is a combination of "ruthless logic and romantic idealism." ...
Missing in action; Military hospitals; Military discharges; War casualties;
A friend of Jim's writes to Ellis after Jim is goes missing. He says that he and Jim shared a birthday and read each other's mail to the other. In doing so, they came to know the other's mother quite well. He tells Mrs. Lardner that he would...
Telegraph to Jim's' mother asking her to cable Herbert Mathews at the Hotel Majestic in Barcelona if she hears where Jim is being held. Says that Delvayo will arrange an exchange repatriation. Tells her not to worry.
Newspaper story about Jim Lardner's being wounded in action during the Ebro Offensive, July 21, 1938. Broun wonders what Ring Lardner, Sr., would have thought about his son fighting for the Loyalists.
James writes to his mother that contrary to the advice of Vincent "Jimmy" Sheean, he has decided to enlist to fight. He also asked Ernest Hemingway for advice; he thought it was a noble idea, but a personal one. James includes on page two his...
James writes that he is about to go into battle but is not at all nervous. He is now a corporal and in charge of four men. He talks about the long march to his current location and going into a nearby town where he had an omlette and wine. Censor...
James relates the story of his tooth abscess. He concerned about the dental bill and is prepared to put up a fight if he is overcharged; he will visit the dentist for his twentieth follow-up. He discusses having a bout of eczema, which has cleared...
James writes to his mother explaining his new appearance: tan skin, shorter hair, slimmer. He will be sending this letter through Joe North of the Daily Worker who will send it air mail from Barcelona to Paris.
James is currently away from fighting and tells his mother it is a miracle he wasn't hit. Promises to wire a note assuring her he is safe once he is far enough away from the artillery. He is glad to have gotten his mother's letter which caught him...
Convalescent hospitals; Military hospitals; Military tactics;
Postcard caption reads: Un aspecto del Parque. Jim writes to his mother while healing from a leg injury. He tells her he is improving slower than he expected. He has been in the hospital for 22 days. He says that all of his best friends survived...
Jim writes to his mother about his time away from the front, in Barcelona. He was able to enjoy all the indulgences city life has to offer: a bath, a clean bed, good food. He assures her that it will be a long time before he sees any action. He...
Trench warfare; Military life; Military tactics; Fascists; Artillery (Weaponry); Bombardment;
Tells his mother that there has not been much action except for digging trenches and "personal refuges" from artillery shells. He recounts one night digging for seven hours on a stony hill, surrounded by the fascist lines. By day break, the...
Military hospitals; Convalescent hospitals; Wounds & injuries;
Jim reports on the progress of his injuries. He has walked into town without a limp and has been enjoying the easy life at his hospital. He believes there is still a piece of shrapnel in his leg. He compares his hospital to "an old people's...
Newspapers; Wounds & injuries; Military hospitals; Bombardment; Bombers; Air warfare; Convalescent hospitals;
James recounts his being wounded during the Ebro Offensive. He describes his wounds and the bombardment. He is currently in a hospital with nothing to read. He intends to write a newspaper piece about his ordeal and have Walter Kerr of the Herald...
Military life; Military maneuvers; Military training; Censorship; Fascists;
Jim describes his daily routine and training to his mother. Mentions that he has seen Jimmy Sheean, Joe North, and Leigh White and they have brought him two letters, one of which is from Mrs. Lardner. He asks his mother to stop asking him to come...
