Georg Gaertner
Georg Gärtner (born December 18, 1920) was a World War II German soldier from Schweidnitz, Lower Silesia.
Biography
While serving with the Afrika Korps, Gärtner was captured by Allied troops in Tunis in 1943 and was brought to America as a prisoner of war. He escaped from his prison camp in Deming, New Mexico, at the war's end because he was afraid of being turned over to the Soviets. He created a new identity as Dennis Whiles, marrying and leading a relatively quiet life. According to his book, an exception was taking part of the first ski rescue team to the the City of San Francisco in January 1952, immediately after which Life magazine took his and the groups' picture. Meanwhile, his FBI wanted posters were in most post offices.
Gärtner was never caught by the authorities, but came forward 40 years later in 1985, "surrendering" to Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show. He effectively became the last World War II German prisoner of war in America.[1]
Gärtner was not an illegal immigrant, since he had been brought to the United States against his will. He had escaped from prison because he was due to be sent back to his hometown, in Poland. Because of this, he was not charged with any offenses. But until late 2009 he was not a United States citizen; he only had a residence permit. In November 2009 he was finally naturalized as a citizen of the U.S. in South Denver after it had been delayed several months. The government claims that his paper-work had been lost.
Gärtner now lives in Boulder, Colorado.
He published a book about his experiences called Hitler's Last Soldier in America, available in both German and English. For 40 years Gärtner was listed as one of the FBI's most wanted persons.[2]
References
- ^ Blumenthal, Ralph (September 11, 1985). "EX-P.O.W. ENDS 40 YEARS OF HIDING". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- ^ TVSchoenfilm: Georg Gärtner – Hitler’s Last Soldier