Harold M. Koch

Harold M. Koch (born 1932) was a Roman Catholic priest from Chicago who defected to the Soviet Union in 1966.[1] His defection, which was included in a Soviet propaganda broadcast,[2] was in protest to the Vietnam war.[3] However he decided to return to the United States three months later saying he wanted to get married.[4] He did, to a Jeanette Neager.[5] While in the USSR he was provided an apartment in Moscow.[6]

From 1958 to 1963 he served the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, leaving when pushed out because of psychiatric problems.[7]

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Ex-US-Priest Explains Defection on Russ TV". The Milwaukee Journal, 9/13/1966.
  2. ↑ "Russian People Hear Former US. Priest". Playground Daily News, 9/14/1966.
  3. ↑ "USSR: American Ex-Priest who has Sought Asylum in Soviet Union Says Move was Protest Against Vietnam War".
  4. ↑ "Ex-U.S. Priest Ends Defection to Russia". Eugene Register-Guard, 12/19/1966.
  5. ↑ "Former Priest Marries". Watertown Daily Times, 7/8/1967.
  6. ↑ "Priest Defector Returning Home". Sarasota Journal, 12/19/1966.
  7. ↑ "Defector Said Ex-Priest". St. Petersburg Times, 9/13/1966.
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