Jüri Toomepuu
Jüri Toomepuu (born 27 June 1930, in Tõlliste Parish, Valga County) is an Estonian journalist and politician. He was a member of the seventh legislature of the Estonian Parliament.[1]
Biography
[edit]He was born on 27 June 1930 in Tõlliste Parish, Valga County.[2] His father Juhan Toomepuu (1902–1990) fought as a 16-year-old volunteer in the Estonian War of Independence and was an officer in the Estonian Navy.[3] Toomepuu studied in Viljandi, Nõmme and Tallinn schools from 1937 until 1943. In 1943, the family fled to Sweden, then to the United States.[1][3][4][5] He studied at the City College of New York University and the University of Alaska, graduating from the University of Southern California with a master's degree in systems management.
He joined the United States Army at the age of 20 to fight in the Korean War as an infantryman.[3][4][5] After two years of active duty, he joined the reserves, and under a special act of the United States he was granted American citizenship[4] and promoted to an officer rank, after which he reentered active duty as a second lieutenant in 1957.[5] As part of the 1st Cavalry Division, he served during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[5] He later worked as a helicopter pilot and flight instructor in New York. He retired after being Chief of Research and Studies of the United States Army Recruiting Command.[6]
Before the Estonian Restoration of Independence, he served as Minister of War of the Estonian government-in-exile. He played a great role in helping restore the Estonian Defense League. In the 1992 Estonian parliamentary election, Toomepuu collected 4.6% of all votes counted.
Personal life
[edit]Jüri Toomepuu is the elder brother of the former chairman of the Estonian Society of Central Florida, retired Army Colonel Tõnu Toomepuu. He married Astrid Oie Tarem (1929–1999) in 1954;[7] they divorced in 1959.[8][9] His son Aldo is also a soldier, who served in the Iraq War as part of the 1st Infantry Division. He currently lives near Tampa, Florida.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Toomla, Jaan (1999). Valitud ja valitsenud: Eesti Parlamentaarsete ja muude esinduskogude ja valitsuste isikkoosseis aastail 1917–1999 (in Estonian). Tallinn: Estonian National Library. p. 425. ISBN 9985921720. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ "Jüri Toomepuu ⟩ Vanus ei ole üksnes number (kui oled 92)". Arvamus (in Estonian). 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ a b c Russell, Oland D. (October 20, 1952). "Sea-Going GI Enjoys Prowling behind Lines". El Paso Herald-Post. El Paso, TX. p. 23. Retrieved April 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Communists Ask Estonia Native to Return Home". The Columbus Ledger. Columbus, GA. December 22, 1955. p. 13. Retrieved April 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Braves Red Fire, Saves Wounded Pilot in Mud". Daily News. New York, NY. September 14, 1967. p. 99. Retrieved April 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Juri Toomepuu | Small Wars Journal". smallwarsjournal.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
- ^ Fanning, Garth (December 25, 1954). "Wedding Bells Ring as Fate Recrosses Paths of Tarem Girls, Old World Friends". Statesman Journal. Salem, OR. p. 13. Retrieved April 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Circuit Court". Statesman Journal. Salem, OR. July 22, 1959. p. 2. Retrieved April 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Circuit Court". Statesman Journal. Salem, OR. November 5, 1959. p. 5. Retrieved April 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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