Cold War POWS: Richard Rogala and Werner Juretzko

These two veterans co-presented a program based on their separate experiences at the Niles Library on Sunday, May 20 at 2 p.m. A son of Niles, Richard Rogala was captured by the North Koreans in early 1968 while serving on the ill-fated USS Pueblo.

Mr. Juretzko was captured by the East German STASI in 1955 while helping the US Army as a counter-intelligence agent.




The Pioneer Press covered the event and epublished this article about the successful program which also later appeared in the Niles Herald-Spectator of Thursday, May 24. The article was written by Tracy Gruen and the photographs were taken  by Vincent D. Johnson.

Veterans History Project Interview- Richard J. Rogala

As a crew member of the USS Pueblo which was seized by the North Koreans in 1968, Mr. Rogala was a prisoner of war for 11 months. During 2008,the 40th annniversary year of this international incident, he is asking his fellow citizens to contact their elected representatives to effect the return of the USS Pueblo to the United States. The ship's return from Pyongyang Harbor would provide more closure for the difficult and painful period of captivity. Mr. Rogala received the above copy of a letter which his Congressman wrote to Secretary of State Rice.