“Jumpin’ Joe” Beyrle: A Hero of Two Nations -
Russia’s Celebration of the 65th Anniversary of Victory Day Launches in St. Petersburg

 

St. Petersburg, Russia – The fast approaching 65th Anniversary of Victory Day was celebrated today with the opening of “Jumpin’ Joe” Beyrle: A Hero of Two Nations at Stroganoff Palace.  The exhibition explores the unique story of a young paratrooper, Joseph Beyrle, one of the only a handful of Americans to fight in both the American and Soviet Armies during World War II.  On display are over 260 items of Joseph Beyrle’s personal wartime effects, including his uniform, medals, extensive correspondence and photo and video documentation of his life.

 

In conjunction with the opening, the exhibition organizers held a seminar focused on US-Russia cooperation during the war, drawing together historians and veterans from both countries to discuss the joint struggles and achievements of that era.  The amazing story of Joe Beyrle served as a starting point for this discussion.

 

After parachuting into Normandy on D-Day, Joe Beyrle was captured by the Germans. Battered and starved, he was moved through seven Nazi prison camps, tortured and interrogated. Following two failed attempts, Joe managed to escape his captors on a third try in January 1945. After running for a day, he oriented himself and sought out Soviet troops.

 

Describing himself as an “American comrade,” Joe joined the ranks of the Soviet army and marched together with them toward Berlin.  After being seriously injured in battle, he met Marshal Georgiy Zhukov while convalescing in a Russian field hospital.  The famous marshal provided him with a letter of transit to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, from where he eventually made his way home to Muskegon.

 

“Sgt. Joseph Beyrle stands out as the highest example of partnership between the United States and the Soviet Union, when nearly seven decades ago we stood side-by-side amid deep economic recession and a world at war,” said Ambassador Arthur Hartman, former US Ambassador to the Soviet Union and founding Chairman of the Foundation for International Arts & Education, which organized the exhibition together with the State Russian Museum.  “Joe’s story has particular resonance today.  It is a compelling reminder of the value of international cooperation, especially US-Russia cooperation, as we face economic uncertainties and conflicts around the world.”

 

Dr. Gregory Guroff, President of the Foundation for International Arts and Education added: “Since the exhibit and seminar celebrate US-Russian cooperation during World War II, it is appropriate that the exhibit, catalogue and programs are the product of this wonderful and hopefully enduring cultural partnership.  The State Russian Museum has been our partner in this and many other ventures.  It is always an honor and joy to work with them, especially with Deputy Director Evgeniya Petrova and Publisher/Designer Joseph Kiblitsky.” 

 

Dr. Evgenia Petrova, Deputy Director for Science at the State Russian Museum, said the exhibition honors all the “Joseph Beryles” of the world who risked their lives for the sake of future generations. “This project not only tells the story of one young man, it also reminds us of the epic struggle and unprecedented sacrifices made by the peoples of both nations in World War II.  With every passing year there are fewer and fewer heroes of that great generation living among us, which makes it ever more important to tell the personal stories of WWII veterans,” Dr. Petrova said.

 

“World War II remains the defining event of the 20th Century, and remembrances of the fighting, and how it changed our world, are with us at every turn,” U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle, the son of Joseph Beyrle, said today.

 

“My father was intensely proud of the contributions of American and Allied forces to our common victory in that war,” Ambassador Beyrle recalled. “But he never failed to express his highest respect for bravery and generosity of the Soviet forces he fought with, who took him in when he was hungry and defenseless, and saved his life when he was gravely wounded.”

 

"Strengthening U.S-Russian relations by building on our countries' mutually shared past is important," said Len Blavatnik, Chairman of Access Industries and a Trustee of the Blavatnik Family Foundation.  "We are very pleased that support provided by the Blavatnik Family Foundation was instrumental in bringing Joe Beyrle's heroic story to light for current and future generations of American and Russian citizens.

 

Some of the other participants of the seminar and exhibition opening included Natalia Batova, Cultural Advisor to the Russian Embassy in Ukraine and daughter of General Pavel Batov, who led the 2nd Belorussian Front; Tom Taylor, biographer of Joseph Beyrle; Anatoly Budko, Director of the Military Medicine Museum; Nikita Lomagin, Professor, St. Petersburg State University; Rair Simoyan, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Russia; as well as several veterans who personally participated in the renowned meeting of Soviet and US troops on the Elbe.

 

After the showing at Stroganoff Palace, the exhibition will travel to Poklonnaya Gora World War II Museum in Moscow, where it will open on May 6, 2010.  Following Moscow, the exhibition will travel to Yekaterinburg and Pskov.

 

The National Sponsor of the exhibition is the Blavatnik Family Foundation.  Additional support has been provided by TMK Russia, Boeing, Chevron, Russian Standard, The PBN Company and numerous individual donors.  RIA Novosti is the General Information Partner of the project.

 

 

Contact Information

MEDIA

 

St. Petersburg

State Russian Museum
Tel./Fax: +7 812 347-8721
e-mail: press@rusmuseum.ru
rusmuseum.press@mail.ru

 

Moscow

The PBN Company
Tel.: +7 495 775 0077
Maria Shiryaevskaya
e-mail: maria.shiryaevskaya@pbn.ru

 

ORGANIZERS

 

US

Foundation For International Arts and Education
Greg Guroff
guroffg@fiae.org
+1(301) 656-6102

 

Russia

Preston Mendelhall
info@1pobeda.ru