An associate member introduces itself: the Paul Grüninger Foundation

In 1938–1939, St. Gallen police commander Paul Grüninger saved hundreds, perhaps thousands, of refugees from Nazi persecution – in breach of instructions from Bern. For this he was dismissed, convicted and forgotten. The Paul Grüninger Foundation keeps his memory alive, along with the memory of those who were not lucky enough to come across him.

The Paul Grüninger Foundation was founded in 1998 by his descendants. In 1938 and 1939, the St. Gallen police commander and captain Paul Grüninger (1891–1972) saved several hundred – perhaps several thousand – refugees, mostly Jewish, from Nazi persecution and extermination. Despite Swiss border closures, he allowed them into St. Gallen, disregarding federal directives and even transgressing laws. In 1939, Paul Grüninger was dismissed without notice by the St. Gallen authorities. In 1940 he was convicted by the District Court of St. Gallen for breach of official duty and forgery of documents. He was ostracised at the time, and later forgotten for many years. He lived in poverty until his death.

Late recognition

In 1993, Paul Grüninger was politically rehabilitated by the St. Gallen government. In 1994, the Swiss Federal Council issued an Ehrenerklärung [Declaration of Honour] for Paul Grüninger. In 1995, the District Court of St. Gallen legally rehabilitated Captain Grüninger with the resumption of his 1940 trial and a posthumous acquittal. In 1998, the Grand Council of the Canton of St. Gallen approved material compensation and compensated Grüninger’s descendants for the loss of salary and pension caused by the captain’s dismissal without notice. The entire amount was turned over by his descendants to the Paul Grüninger Foundation.

The foundation today

The Paul Grüninger Foundation cherishes the memory of Grüninger and other people who acted in the same spirit. The foundation also commemorates those people who did not come across a Paul Grüninger, but were abandoned and chased back to their persecutors. It also supports projects aimed at researching and communicating historical and current efforts in the service of human rights.

The Paul Grüninger Foundation is a member of the Swiss Memorial network for the victims of National Socialism. Would you like to become part of the network? Further information can be found here.