© 2023 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Mich. man decries deportation bid over WWII charge

By AP

TROY, MI – An 88-year-old Michigan man accused of helping the Nazis during World War II as a Ukrainian policeman says the government's decision to try to deport him is "terrible."

The Justice Department charges that John Kalymon personally shot Jews while serving in the Nazi-sponsored Ukrainian Auxiliary Police.

Kalymon told The Associated Press on Monday that he didn't shoot anybody during the war.

Kalymon, standing on the porch of his home in the Detroit suburb of Troy, said he loves the United States. He said he has prostate cancer and he's "going to die here."

Kalymon came to the United States in 1949. He became a naturalized citizen in 1955 and worked as an engineer at Chrysler.

A special thanks to those who helped us unlock $50,000 this past Giving Tuesday. If you haven't supported the news reporting of this station yet, now is the best time to give. Support your favorite community public station today.