http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1/?file=dday_0034p1

Fascinating story. I can't believe I've never read about Joseph Beyrle before.

Wow, that is an amazing story. Hard to believe he survived.

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Everyday we would run the mountain called "Curahee", one and a half miles up and down, three to five days a week.

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This makes sense. Band of Brothers made it "three miles up, three miles down." Obviously, it was only half of that, which makes sense because they were running it in 15 minutes. That would be a blazing speed on the ground and impossible up a hill.

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While being interrogated, I was removed to another underground room, to my surprise, there was a young blond woman setting on the corner of the officer's desk.

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This part was not quite as good as I hoped it would be based on this sentence.

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As a traitor, he was sentenced to death. He was executed, his body dismembered and put down the latrines. Records were made and brought out and returned to the USA. After the war, it was determined that he had been infiltrated into the group in the move from IVB to IIIC and that he was a German national.

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German POWs in the US did this to their "traitors" and we hung them for it.

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Each night there was a Marine guard at my door. I talked to him late into the night, trying to convince him who I was and we had long discussions.

One time, when he turned his back, I jumped him, but after a short scuffle he pinned me.

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Proof that you can be a hero and still be a dumb $%*#

incredible story, thanks for posting it.

I hate to be the naysayer but this story is not passing the sniff test.

Aggies Revenge said:

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I hate to be the naysayer but this story is not passing the sniff test.

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Pretty well documented that he did in fact fight with the US, was captured, and then fought with the Red Army.

Not quite as extraordinary as the Korean conscrpit ( Yang Kyoungjang) who fought for the Japanese against the Reds, captured by the Soviets, then fought the Nazis, subsequently captured by the Nazis and forced in service on the Western Front to be captured the US on D-Day. The movie "My Way" is based on this

JABQ04 said:

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Aggies Revenge said:

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I hate to be the naysayer but this story is not passing the sniff test.

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Pretty well documented that he did in fact fight with the US, was captured, and then fought with the Red Army.

Not quite as extraordinary as the Korean conscrpit ( Yang Kyoungjang) who fought for the Japanese against the Reds, captured by the Soviets, then fought the Nazis, subsequently captured by the Nazis and forced in service on the Western Front to be captured the US on D-Day. The movie "My Way" is based on this

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He might well have, just some parts are triggering the BS detectors. They are going to pull and enlistedman from training for D-Day, send him on courier missions to France, and then put him back with his unit to a combat jump on D-Day? That should be sending red flags up with many of us.

I can get the skepticism, but looking up some stuff, and in his Arlington Obituary it mentions him parachuting in France pre-invasion to deliver gold to the resistance. While in credible, I am inclined to believe his story is true. Also with him being trained as a radio operator, I would tend to believe he was brought along for his unique set of skills, since they had to maintain contact with Allied HQ to coordinate an extraction.

If you want a good read, check the life of Hollywood actor Peter Ortiz.(played a French speaking, eye patched officer in several Wayne westerns). WWII Marine, but one hell of a career.
Father was well to do business man, Educated atUniversity of Glenoble, spoke 10 foreign languages, at 19 joined the French Foreign Legion (father tried to get him out but he refused and served his 5 years).
In those five years he was awarded three times Legion awards for bravery in combat. Offered a commission if he would reup in the Legion, but went to Hollywood as military film consultant(1937-1939). When WWII broke out in Europe and USA not involved, he rejoined the Legion, received a battlefield commission, captured by the Germans, escaped and made his way back to USA arriving the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
Joined the USMarines and was sent to BOOT CAMP!!!!! (after serving 7 years in the French Foreign Legion as enlisted and an Officer and have been awarded 5 of Frances higher awarded for bravery.
CO of USMC Boot Camp sent request to Commandant to commission Ortiz, which was accomplished on his 40th day of Boot Camp and then off for special assignment with OSS, promoted to Captain in less then 6 months. Below is just a brief chronology of his next 3 years with OSS, look it up, WOW!
Assigned to North Africa by OSS
Wounded in North Africa
Parachuted into France multiple times prior to DDay
Captured in France, escaped again
Was awarded the Navy Cross twice, Purple Heart twice, Legion of Merit
Stayed in the Marine Corps Reserve and retired as a Colonel.
Volunteered for duty in Indochina in 1954 as an observer, CMC disapproved the request.

One other Hollywood actor was in the OSS, that being Sterling Hayden, Marine Officer, parachuted into Yugoslavia multiple times to coordinate with partisan forces under Tito.

Most of these were three man teams that made the jumps. OIC, specialist, radio operator

JABQ04 said:

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I can get the skepticism, but looking up some stuff, and in his Arlington Obituary it mentions him parachuting in France pre-invasion to deliver gold to the resistance. While in credible, I am inclined to believe his story is true. Also with him being trained as a radio operator, I would tend to believe he was brought along for his unique set of skills, since they had to maintain contact with Allied HQ to coordinate an extraction.

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Valid point at being an RO. However, I have never heard of any person, once sent over to the OSS or the SOE, being returned to their unit to conduct normal combat operations. This would have been a huge security risk. Do I believe he fought with the Soviets? Yes. Do I believe he embellished other parts of his story, abso freaking lutely.

This guy's story and interview was on Oliver North's Fox program a few nights ago .

My Great Uncle landed on D-Day as a Sergeant. Left two years later as a Major. His likeness is portrayed on a mural in Normandy. The family didnt know it until 6 years ago or so.