US paratrooper Joseph Beyrle served with the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. Prior to the start of the Normandy invasions, Beyrle jumped twice into occupied France to coordinate, provide arms, and money to several French resistance units. He then jumped into France on D-Day, destroyed a enemy gun emplacement, was captured, escaped, and captured again. He was beaten nearly to death, his uniform and dog tags were taken from him. A German soldier attempted to infiltrate US lines dressed in Beyrle’s uniform and was killed. The US War Department believed Beyrle had been killed in combat and notified his parents. His mother refused to believe her son was dead and continued to ignore the calls from the family to accept his death.
Beyrle was taken into captivity at a German-controlled POW camp. He attempted to escape and was shot and wounded. He survived on minimum food and medical attention. Beyrle would be held in seven different POW camps and escaped again; this time the Gestapo was ready to shoot him, claiming he was a spy. He escaped again and found his way to a Soviet armored brigade which was near the POW camp. Beyrle having knowledge of engines and mechanical background assisted the Soviet tank unit which was equipped with American made M4 Shermans. He served with an armor unit commanded by a Soviet female officer and acted as a scout for the Russians against German positions. He was wounded again when German dive bombers attacked the Russian armor column.
He was taken to a Soviet hospital where he met Soviet Marshall Zhukov who was curious on how this American paratrooper ended up in a Soviet hospital. Zhukov was so impressed with Beryle’s story he provided safe passage back to the US Embassy in Moscow.
Due to the U.S. War Department believing Beyrle had been killed back in June 1944, the U.S. government kept him under guard for several days until his dental records confirmed he was indeed Beyrle. Beyrle served more combat time with the Soviets than the Americans and received both US and Soviet citations.
Beyrle returned home and married his sweetheart by the same priest who two years earlier had held his funeral when his family believed he was dead.
Here is Sgt. Joseph Beyrle’s Prisoner of War picture after he was captured again by the Germans.
One bad-ass warrior.
What a story! What a life! Thank you for posting it.
ReplyDeleteDaaaaaamn.
ReplyDeleteHe was one determined fella.
First time I ever heard this and now I have to ask why Steve McQueen didn't make a movie about this guy instead of Stalag 13?
Why hasn't ANYONE made a movie about this guy?
McQueen starred in "The Great Escape" not Stalag 17. That starred William Holden.
DeleteThanks for the clarification. I knew it didn't sound right when I typed it but was too lazy to look it up.
DeleteQuite coincidentally, I just watched The Great Escape yesterday. The opening credits state the movie was based on a true story and that some characters were composite, makes one wonder. Beyrle looked like McQueen who would have done justice to his memory
DeleteThat, sir, was one hardcore MFer! A role model for every true warrior!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. Endeavor to live your remaining days like Beyrl.
ReplyDeleteHis story is one of the more unique ones in the annals of American military history - because the WORLD was at war.
ReplyDeleteA true Patriot!
ReplyDeleteA couple of books about Beyrle’s exploits are available. Amazon has 2-3. I’m certain they are available via other sources too.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting man, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBad To The Bone!
ReplyDeleteI met Joe several years ago in Reno, Nevada at a military reunion of the 3/506 in which I served. At the time he didn't know of any surviving members of his unit and we adopted him into our old unit.
ReplyDeleteAt https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Beyrle they have his story & his ribbons. A good read. Not many in this country with a ribbon for Liberating Warsaw!
ReplyDeleteHell of a story!