World War II United States Army soldier. He was the last soldier to be executed for desertion, by the American military, and the only soldier to be executed for this crime during World War II. He was a member of Company G, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, and had deserted in late October 1944, right after he had joined the division as a replacement from the United States. The division had just finished leaving the Battle of the Hurtengen Forest, where it had taken heavy casualties. Slovik twice confessed to deserting, in writing, and stated that if given the opportunity he would desert again. He believed that he would only spend a few years in jail, which he would accept to avoid combat. However, after conviction at a Court Martial, he was given the death penalty. On 31 January 1945, Eddie Slovik was executed by firing squad near the village of Ste-Marie aux Mines. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, ordered the execution during the closing days of the Battle of the Bulge, in order to deter other potential deserters. Slovik was buried in France, in a reserved section of the American Oise-Aisne American Cemetery with 94 American soldiers executed for the crimes of rape and murder. His remains were returned to Michigan in 1987. Many presidents have been petitioned but no pardon has ever been granted. Forty-two years after Slovik's execution, his remains were returned to the United States, and reburied next to his wife, Antoinette.
Current Burial Location.
Prior Burial Location.
Current Burial Location.
Prior Burial Location.
World War II United States Army soldier. He was the last soldier to be executed for desertion, by the American military, and the only soldier to be executed for this crime during World War II. He was a member of Company G, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, and had deserted in late October 1944, right after he had joined the division as a replacement from the United States. The division had just finished leaving the Battle of the Hurtengen Forest, where it had taken heavy casualties. Slovik twice confessed to deserting, in writing, and stated that if given the opportunity he would desert again. He believed that he would only spend a few years in jail, which he would accept to avoid combat. However, after conviction at a Court Martial, he was given the death penalty. On 31 January 1945, Eddie Slovik was executed by firing squad near the village of Ste-Marie aux Mines. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, ordered the execution during the closing days of the Battle of the Bulge, in order to deter other potential deserters. Slovik was buried in France, in a reserved section of the American Oise-Aisne American Cemetery with 94 American soldiers executed for the crimes of rape and murder. His remains were returned to Michigan in 1987. Many presidents have been petitioned but no pardon has ever been granted. Forty-two years after Slovik's execution, his remains were returned to the United States, and reburied next to his wife, Antoinette.
Current Burial Location.
Prior Burial Location.
Current Burial Location.
Prior Burial Location.
Inscription
Honor and Justice Prevailed
Family Members
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