The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Execution of Pvt. Eddie Slovik (1/1945) - September 4th, 2004

see educational sources

[snippy_about_it]

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Determined to right what she was certain was a horrible wrong, Antoinette vainly petitioned seven presidents to have her dead husband pardoned. It seemed so unfair that so many others convicted of the same crime were not executed. Why only one soldier, why her husband alone? She worked relentlessly to clear his record and to claim his body until her own death in 1979.


American soldiers drive an anti-aircraft truck through a bombed-out French city in 1944. Slovik deserted twice in France, once being arrested and returned by Canadian troops, the second time surrendering in Belgium.

She also waged a long and unsuccessful effort to collect Slovik's insurance death benefit. It was denied to her because Slovik died under dishonorable circumstances. After her death, Congress finally considered legislation that would have allowed her to receive benefits.

She spent her final days at Medicos Nursing Home in Detroit, living on Social Security disability. She suffered from heart problems, and was being treated for breast cancer.

Bernard V. Calka, a Polish American WWII veteran, took up Antoinette's campaign after her death. He spent several years lobbying and spent about $8,000 of his own money to have Slovik's remains returned to Michigan in 1987. Forty-two years after Slovik's execution, Calka had his remains reburied next to wife Antoinette in Detroit's Woodmere Cemetery.


Eisenhower addresses American troops on the western front in the latter days of the war.

Calka wrote repeatedly to Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Bill Clinton, and has contacted congressmen in his continuing battle for a federal pardon for Slovik, who was described by his widow as "the unluckiest kid that ever lived."

Author Huie mused "...why had I bothered to travel so far, to ask so many questions, all just to know one dishonored Polack private from Detroit?...Nobody knew about (the tragedy of) Eddie Slovik: he has been a secret...And I knew that his experience is the most unusual of any citizen who has borne arms for the United States within my lifetime.

"Private Slovik was killed by the United States for the crime of refusing to serve the United States with a rifle and a bayonet, for desertion to avoid the hazardous duty of close combat; and..the only American to be executed for such an offense."


Anna Kadlubski, eldest sister of Eddie Slovik, stands with her husband John as Slovik was reburied after his remains were returned in 1987.

Story by Zena Simmons / The Detroit News

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Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:

www.historynet.com/wwii/blslovik/

[snippy_about_it]

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[snippy_about_it]

John Kerry told the world we were war criminals who raped, tortured and murdered in Vietnam. Now, thirty-three years later, we will tell America the truth.

Join us at the rally we call:

What: A peaceful remembrance of those with whom we served in Vietnam - those who lived and those who died.
We will tell the story of their virtues and how that contrasts with the lies told by John Kerry.

When: Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT

Where: The West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC

All Vietnam veterans and their families and supporters are asked to attend. Other veterans are invited as honored guests. This will be a peaceful event--no shouting or contact with others with different opinions. We fought for their rights then, and we respect their rights now. This is NOT a Republican or a pro-Bush rally. Democrats, Republicans and independents alike are warmly invited.

Our gathering is to remember those with whom we served, thereby giving the lie to John Kerry's smear against a generation of fine young men. B.G. "Jug" Burkett, author of "Stolen Valor," will be one of our speakers. Jug has debunked countless impostors who falsely claimed to be Vietnam veterans or who falsely claimed awards for heroism. Jug recommends that we refrain from dragging fatigues out of mothballs. Dress like America, like you do every day. Dress code: business casual, nice slacks, and shirt and shoes. No uniform remnants, please. Unit hats OK.

Selected members will wear badges identifying them as authorized to speak to the media about our event. Others who speak to the media will speak only for themselves.

The program will be controlled in an attempt to stay on-message. Speakers are encouraged not to engage in speculative criticism of John Kerry but (1) to stick to known and undisputed facts about John Kerry’s lies while (2) reminding America of the true honor and courage of our brothers in battle in Vietnam.

Send this announcement to 10 or more of your brothers! Bring them by car, bus, train or plane! Make this event one of pride in America, an event you would be proud to have your mother or your children attend.

Contact: kerrylied.com

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Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization.

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Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

Thanks to quietolong for providing this link.

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UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004



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[SAMWolf]

I saw the movie. IIRC, it was slanted to the view that Pvt. Slovak hadn't deserted but he was only AWOL and just had to have the misfortune of being selected "to be made an example of".

[snippy_about_it]

There seems to be two sides to this story yet it's clear he didn't want to be where he was. Then again I'm sure most others wished they didn't have to be there either.

[alfa6]

Sad Bump for the Saturday Foxhole

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[A Jovial Cad]

Interesting history, thanks for posting it. I saw the movie years ago, but never knew the back-story. The lead role of Private Slovik was played, if memory serves, by Martin Sheen--an apt choice if there ever was one for such a production.
As to the guy in the story whom has spent countless hours & dollars to get Private Slovik a "pardon," I only have this to say: my grandfather was an U.S. Army Air Corps. veteran ('42-'45, Pacific Theater) whom saw the thing through to the end, and who made that sacrifice though he desperately wanted to be home with his family TOO. I have little sympathy for Private Slovik. Perhaps if the guy who died in his stead on the front lines could somehow be resurrected and asked to offer an opinion, and *he* then proceeded to recommend a "pardon" for this justly executed deserter at this late date, I might consider it. But otherwise, no.

[snippy_about_it]

Morning alfa6.

[snippy_about_it]

Martin Sheen--an apt choice if there ever was one for such a production.

LOL.

...my grandfather was an U.S. Army Air Corps. veteran ('42-'45, Pacific Theater) whom saw the thing through to the end...We are grateful for you grandfather's service.

If there were a lot of deserters as this article suggests there must have been more to the story to have this one executed, but I guess they had to start somewhere, and this guy signed the paper. I don't think he thought they would go through with it.

[alfa6]

Good Morning back at ya snippy.

Did y'all get them there newfangled CD thingies?

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[alfa6]

And a good morning to SAM as well, one of these nights I will get to sleep all the way through.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[SAMWolf]

Morning alfa6.

[SAMWolf]

one of these nights I will get to sleep all the way through.

I know that feeling!!

[snippy_about_it]

Not yet. :-(

[SAMWolf]

Morning A Jovial Cad.

You're right, it was Martin Sheen.

[alfa6]

Dang nab it...

Mrs alfa6 mailed them out priority mail last Monday. I should have the other two CD's done in a week or so so I will resend them if they haven't shown up.

Dang Snail mail

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[snippy_about_it]

We didn't check the mail today, so it could be there tomorrow when we check.

[A Jovial Cad]

I think you're right--there is probably more to this story than history has revealed to us. But, to be honest, I still don't have much use for Private Slovik.
On behalf of my grandfather, who passed away in 1986, let me say I appreciate your heartfelt gratitude for his service. He was a member of the 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 8th Squadron (sometimes called the 8th "Pursuit" Squadron) from October of 1942 until December of 1945. As I understand it, his squadron started out with P-40's and eventually flew P-38's for the duration of the war.
He took literally hundreds and hundreds of original pictures that my father (a peacetime USAF vet, as am I) is now in the process of having restored and blown up for our family history. One of them is a picture of General Douglas MacArthur that my grandfather snapped from about a foot away: I should really scan that pic in and post it sometime.
Anyway, he was a good and honorable man, whom I deeply miss--and a wonderful grandfather. Perhaps my objective judgment of Private Slovik's fate has been clouded by my memories of my grandfather's pride in having served without either apology or excuse.
I think this is a great forum on FR; is there a *ping list to this? Thanks.

[A Jovial Cad]

What in the world was that "comment #13" that had to be removed by the moderator about? I missed it.