Edward Donald Slovik (February 18, 1920 - January 31,1945) was a private in the United States Army during World War II and the only American soldier to be executed for desertion since the American Civil War. Although over twenty-one thousand soldiers were given varying sentences for desertion during World War II-including forty-nine death sentences-only Slovik's death sentence was carried out.
He was buried in the Oise-Aisne Cemetery, Fere-en-Tardenois ,France, in a secret cemetery with 94 American soldiers executed for the crimes of rape and murder.
In 1987, 42 after Slovik's execution, his remains were returned to Michigan and reburied next to his wife Antoinette.
The story of his execution was made into a motion picture with actor Martin Sheen in the role of Private Slovik.
Here are some excerpts of letters he wrote home:
Jan. 26, 1944
Mommy, I am sorry without you... I think I'm going to have a lot of trouble. Army life don't agree with me.
Jan. 31
I am in the infantry for 17 weeks and after that I don't know where I am going... Honest honey, I feel like crying every time I sit down to write you a letter... I am so unlucky. You are sick darling, but what am I going to do? Oh, darling, I don't know what to do to be with you again. I am so dam sick and tired of this place. I feel like going AWOL. I'm sorry I didn't go to jail for six months, then I know you could come to see me anytime you wanted to.
Feb. 24Eddie Slovik's remains are placed in a hearse by a funeral home worker July 11, 1987. The casket, lost in transit on its way from France, arrived at Metro a day late. The remains were reburied in Woodmere Cemetery alongside his wife, Antoinette.
Last letter
Everything happens to me. I've never had a streak of luck in my life. The only luck I had in my life was when I married you. I knew it wouldn't last because I was too happy. I knew they would not let me be happy.
Slovik made it clear he did not consider himself a fighting man. He feared weapons so much that his drill instructors had to furnish him with dummy grenades and escort him through the infiltration course.
Sent to the front lines in France after the June 1944 invasion, Slovik first deserted the night of Aug. 25 when his rifle company came under heavy shelling. In October, Canadian forces captured him and returned him to his unit, the 28th Division. His officers warned that if he left again, he would be charged with desertion in the face of the enemy. Several days later he was gone, this time turning himself in to authorities in Belgium. He signed a confession and declared himself unwilling to fight. Slovik was court-martialed for desertion under fire and sentenced to death by firing squad. His execution was carried out in the closing months of World War II, his wife totally unaware of the sentence. The army denied responsiblity, claiming that Slovik himself should have notified her.
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Originally Posted by Reecy
