Former Hitler Youth reflects on life as he nears death

Y'all have got to read this one...This is one interesting character.

Legendary tough guy Joe Munch was reflecting on the forces that have shaped his life when he did something his critics would say was wildly out of character.

The former child Nazi, French Legionnaire, cop and chief of security at Idaho's penitentiary - dry-eyed through the carnage of war and the harshness of prison life - paused and wiped away a tear.
"You ask me which is the real Joe Munch," he said. "It's all of them. I've been the person who fit the situation."

Former Hitler Youth reflects on life as he nears death | Local News | Idaho Statesman

 

Absolutely fascinating . This guy fought in Eurpe, Africa, Indochina and took part in the Coup d'Etat organized by General Massu at Algiers. It's amazing he ended up in Idaho. Thanks for posting this great link.

 

Totally agree. The man got around.

 

Quite the post, thank you!

 

Great write up. Would be interesting if an invitation to join this forum could be sent to him. His input would likely be interesting and valuable.

 

Hi Ike, thanks for the great post on this fascinating person. I wonder if he ever rubbed elbows (in Indochina) w/ Lt. ""Hans-Josef-Wagemuller"" (whose real name is Hans J. S. and who lived in Florida and sadly passed away in 1999.)

 

I have a feeling a movie will be made about his life.

 

has he released an autobiography about himself yet cause that would be very interesting

 

While employed as security supervisor for the state of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, I directed a staff that was responsible for the security of the of the Department of Water Quality, the Regional DEQ office, the State DEQ office, the EPA Office and the IPTV facility.
Also on the same property was the headquarters of the Department of Corrections. The DEQ State office had four large conference rooms that can be opened to make one very large conference room. All the other agencies used our conference rooms for public hearing's, interagency meetings, staff meetings, training secessions, retirement parties, Christmas parties etc. It was very common for previously retired employees to attend some of these meetings. IDOC (Dept. of Corrections) used our faculties for new officer training and many other purposes.
Joe was frequent visitor to our facility, I was lucky enough to meet him a few times, even at age 70 when I met him his hand shake was like a vice. I knew a little about his story, I was aware he was from Germany and had been a member of the Nazi Youth, his handling of the prison riots is well known. One of my co workers at the DEQ was a retired Navy Corpsman who had worked at the old prison for many years, he had filled me in on some of Joes back ground.
When I read the story in Sundays paper I was surprised to learn of his French Legionary service and his years in Vietnam. Joe will certainly be missed, he is very much loved and respected by those he worked with at the Old Pen.

 

what a life to live.

 

His life would make a great book the time spent in the Legion, in particular

 

I have a brother in law that was in the hj and was sent to the front but went to stay in his uncles farm to the end.he is in a painting in Munich museum he was hand picked by Hitlers artist very easy to talk to and not ashamed of what he was in