Paratrooper Joe Beyrle, a Soldier for Two Armies

NPR | By Scott Simon

Published December 18, 2004 at 12:00 AM EST

World War II paratrooper Joe Beyrle died this week at the age of 81. He has the distinction of being the only soldier in that conflict to fight for both the American and Russian armies. Hear Beyrle's biographer, Thomas Taylor, and NPR's Scott Simon.

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