Private Eddie Slovik/Merged

We all remember or have heard of him, right? So many articles written and even a movie about him being the first and only US Army soldier to be executed (WW11) since the civil war. This does not justify that fact, if you believe it was unjust, but it does offer some insight into his character. There were 40,000 soldiers who deserted in WW11, 49 were sentanced to death, he was the only one who was executed. The city of Detroit is going thru old arrest records, thowing out very old ones, saving newer ones, and those of notorious criminals, moving them to another storage place. Six years before his execution he was arrested for stealing a car and the prior year arrested for embezzlemnt. His rap sheet dates from when he was 12 years old, when he started breaking into homes. Hmmm.

Don't know if that one is on the save list.

His story is one of the "system" getting ahead of it self. Had Eisenhower had pondered his decision to let the sentence go forth, he might well have commuted his sentence. What I've read is that his execution was a big morale hit, because a lot of the soldiers felt "there but for the Grace of God, go I".

A couple of things to keep in mind.

1. Slovik was given several (I believe at least three) opportunities to walk away from the whole problem, All he had to do was take the same risk that the other 16,000,000 men and women in the US Forces were doing. Pick up a rifle and report to his company. He chose not to. Ultimately he ran up against the immovable object in the person of General Eisenhower whose eye was on the big picture.


I don't think anyone particulary wanted to execute Slovik or was thrilled at the prospect.

Regards,

Jim

Sorry, wrong place.

Had they not sentenced Slovik to death, there might have been many more 'letter writers' willing to serve prison time instead of front line time.

My understanding is that Ike did 'ponder' the sentance and gave the go-ahead. All death sentances probably would have had to go him.

Guys, believe it or not, I served in the regiment that Slovik did (albeit a little later). Slovik was in the 109th Infantry, 28th Division. The unit was, and still is, part of the PA National Guard and is based in Scranton. It started off WW2 as all NG then replacements were brought in as in every other unit.

I actually got to see his paperwork. In Iraq we used to tell the troops not to forget that we were the last unit to convene a firing squad and weren't afraid to do it again! (jokingly)

Slovik had, while he was "deserted", served with other units that were not infantry and from all accounts served well with those units. He did not refuse to serve, he just didn't want to go back to the infantry (can't say I blame him, how many of you got shot at and thought, "Yep, this was a good idea!" - I know I didn't.) NOw I understand what can be said like he signed up, he should serve where he was assigned, but realize that at the time he was drafted they were getting near the bottom of the barrel and someone like Slovik would not have been drafted earlier (Eddie wasn't the brightest bulb on the tree, but he was breathing and could ambulate). My own impression is that rather than have him either dead or in prison, he could have been sent to a unit where he could have been useful. I do understand the argument that if this was done, more men would want out, but I also understand that tens of thousands of deserters were walking around Europe doing nothing also. I don't think this one guy getting out of line duty would have led to a mass exodus if you already knew all you had to do was walk away.

From the movie point of view, he was willing to serve as a cook but how accurate is the movie. A firing squad is a bit much. Personally, Ike shoulda had Gen. Patton slap him. A live soldier accomplishes more than a dead one.

So many soldiers had self-inflicted wounds to get outa combat. They weren't put before a US firing squad. I wonder if Ike regretted his decision to execute Eddie.

Slovik never really served with the 109th or any one else. He and a friend bailed while in transit to his assignment to "G" company. He hooked up with a Canadian MP outfit and basically spent about a month with them doing various chores before they ran him up to his company.

By the time his court martial had been conducted and the sentence handed down the 28th had been bloodied badly in both the Hurtgen Forest and then the Bulge taking thousands of casualties in each battle.

Its true that some of the people he encountered said he was great guy who would do anything for you..except his duty.

"An Army at Dawn", about Ike and the North African campaing.

Had Ike been, what he became, then the Axis would have been wiped up earlier.
Only after getting "cut-throat", and weeding out the incompetents, did the Allies kicked butt.

Most striking is the contempt on UK & US side for each other and the uncertainty of the French loyalty.

Looks like a couple of posts got lost on another thread so I brought the discussion back together. Play on!

Bob

When he deserted infantry replacements had in some units reached the 400% turnover level, in n.w. Europe. Cooks ,Truck drivers and various others were not needed,infantry replacements were.He was given the opportunity to have the charges dropped if he would go back to the infantry,he refused! Also stated in his confession he would run away again. He was counting on the sentence being reduced to 20 yrs. and after the war a pardon.

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Originally Posted by JGaynor

Slovik never really served with the 109th or any one else. He and a friend bailed while in transit to his assignment to "G" company. He hooked up with a Canadian MP outfit and basically spent about a month with them doing various chores before they ran him up to his company.

By the time his court martial had been conducted and the sentence handed down the 28th had been bloodied badly in both the Hurtgen Forest and then the Bulge taking thousands of casualties in each battle.

Its true that some of the people he encountered said he was great guy who would do anything for you..except his duty.

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According to records he actually was at G company for about an hour before bailing again, then showed up a day or so later with a written confession (again, he wasn't the brightest), but that doesn't matter much anyway because you belong to who you're assigned to even if you never show up there. With the casualties taken by the 109th in the Hurtgen (1,357) and later the Ardennes (1,174), Eddie would likely have been killed either way.

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By the time his court martial had been conducted and the sentence handed down the 28th had been bloodied badly in both the Hurtgen Forest and then the Bulge taking thousands of casualties in each battle.

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With the casualties taken by the 109th in the Hurtgen (1,357) and later the Ardennes (1,174), Eddie would likely have been killed either way.

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When talking about Eddie Slovic, we need to understand the points made above. The 28th Infantry Division (PA NG) had taken horrible casualties. And being a National Guard division, many of the officers and NCOs were long-tme friends. They looked at the ordeals they had been through, the numbers of their old friends who were dead, and looked at Eddie, the man who refused to serve in the time of the Division's greatest need. They did not sympathize with Eddie.

A great deal has been made of the fact that there were no combat officers on Eddie's court-martial. But no one explains that the 28th Infantry Division at that point had no combat officers to spare -- most of them were dead or wounded.

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Originally Posted by jjroth

"An Army at Dawn", about Ike and the North African campaing.

Had Ike been, what he became, then the Axis would have been wiped up earlier.
Only after getting "cut-throat", and weeding out the incompetents, did the Allies kicked butt.

Most striking is the contempt on UK & US side for each other and the uncertainty of the French loyalty.

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What a great read! A must:beerchug:

Vern, I recently stumbled across a DVD that a young woman had assembled about the 109th infantry during WW2. It included combat films plus inteviews with surviving vets (and their wives or widows) at a reunion a few years ago. At one point a Vet remarked in an interview that casualities in the rifle companies were horrific and he thanked god that he was in the anti-tank company. My dad was the CO of the 109th Anti-tank company. He survived the war and in the early 50's provided Bill Huie with the background information on the 28th in WW2 when Huie was writing "The Execution of Private Slovik". The original hardcover edition has an acknowledgement in the frontispiece.

But your point is well taken. Slovik was never a part of the unit. Never fought. Never soldiered in any meaningful way. He took his chances and unfortunately things went against him.

Regards,

Jim

PS The 109th DVD for anyone who might be interested is:
"Our Heroes and Their Ladies in Waiting" 2005, Linda Rae Stockton
www.lindaraeproductions.com

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Originally Posted by Dave

We all remember or have heard of him, right? So many articles written and even a movie about him being the first and only US Army soldier to be executed (WW11) since the civil war.

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Just to clarify SLovak was the only US soldier executed for desertion during WWII. Between 1942 and 1961 160 members of the military were exected. In WWI 36 were exectuted. So his execution was not the first since the civil war it was the first for desertion. Currently the death penalty is in place for cetain crimes and at least nine military members on death row awaiting execution.

Here are the crimes still punishable by execution, note desertion in time of war is still punishable by death and to note we are at war right now:

Currently, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 14 offenses are punishable by death. Under the following sections of the UCMJ, the death penalty can be imposed at any time:

94 - Mutiny or sedition
99 - Misbehavior before the enemy
100 - Subordinate compelling surrender
101 - Improper use of countersign
102 - Forcing a safeguard
104 - Aiding the enemy
106a - Espionage
110 - Improper hazarding of vessel
118 - Murder
120 - Rape and carnal knowledge
Four provisions of the UCMJ carry a death sentence only if the crime is committed during times of war:

85 - Desertion
90 - Assaulting or willfully disobeying superior commissioned officer
106 - Spies
113 - Misbehavior of a sentinel or lookout

Sure he was the only soldier shot, but there were a whole bunch hung for other crimes!
I remember reading in Albert Perriponts book that he was hired by the US to carry out a whole bunch of executions just before D-Day!

To be honest with you I haven't read the book for 10 or 20 years but what I remember about it was that Slovik was a loser. Not only was he incapable of making an intelligent choice, he was also unlucky. Sort of like the kid when you went stealing apples who would always get caught while the rest of you ran away.

If that was the message that the author intended, then he did a good job as that is what stuck with me.

KTK

When we got back home again
To desert was my intent, sir
I sold my cot and I sold my coat
And over the wall I went, sir.

Went to a tavern and I got drunk
That is where they found me
Back to barracks in chains I was sent
And there they did impound me.

Fifty I got for selling me coat
Fifty for me blankets
If ever I 'list for a soldier again
The devil shall be me sergeant.

From "The Rogues March"

As a career soldier, I got no sympathy for a deserter and one that did it during wartime deserves no slack: he was guilty and got what he deserved by the UCMJ. If Ike had a buy into that decision, and approved it: then it was solid as his decision to go on and invade Normandy.

Drop the Atomic Bomb: never met a WWII vet that regretted that decision .

I have a great respect for human life and hate to see it taken away or wasted. This soldier made a decision and knew the consequences just like a criminal knows the consequences and conducts a crime.

This soldier had a choice and made the wrong one. He is solely responsible for losing his life. There is no honor due him nor remorse for taking his life merited.

Cowardice, Desertion, Traitors : No Slack in my book: Prosecute and let the Uniform Code of Military Justice sort out the facts and render a verdict.

Death for rape or carnal knowledge? The later could be interputed to mean a consenting affair? Please explain, because that sure went on!

Amen, MILPRILEB!
ARMORKAV

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Originally Posted by Dave

Death for rape or carnal knowledge? The later could be interputed to mean a consenting affair? Please explain, because that sure went on!

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Carnal knowledge usually means sex with an underage minor. So the degree of consent would depend on the age of the partner.

I understand what you're saying about no slack, but what about the other 40,000+? Maybe we could round up any that are still alive and shoot them, too. After all, they have it coming...

"Father Cummings, the Regiment's Catholic Chaplain presents an interesting story and character to follow to the end, as you experience his unusual relationship and influence upon the frontline soldiers he served, as well as his role in the sad and senseless execution of Private Eddie Slovik." -Don Malarkey, author of "Easy Company Soldier" and a D-Day Veteran of the infamous Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

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I understand what you're saying about no slack, but what about the other 40,000+?

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If there is injustice in the application of the death penalty, it is that we don't do it enough to make a difference.

Each case has its own set of facts and circumstances, if there were 40,000 other deserters tried by the UCMJ and they did not get sentenced to death, then there must be good reasons specific to each case. Desertion during wartime is a serious offense in the US military of that time and has not changed.

I would like to remind folks that each service member swears an oath to defend this nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. Slovik swore that oath as did everyone in WWII.

The fact is this man was a deserter and was found guilty. Revisionist history writing or speculating about this deserters execution being anything other than a just decision is outrageous.

Let's keep our focus on those who DID THEIR DUTY in WWII.

I'm not trying to have an argument and I certainly don't need to be lectured about the oath of service. I first took that oath in 1983 when I entered the Army. I took it seriously enough that when the events of 2001 transpired I went back into the military and ended up going to Iraq - because I take oaths I sweat THAT seriously. I have nothing but the highest regard for ALL who do their duty, not just in a specific conflict.

However, the topic of this thread is Slovik, not the millions who have done the right thing. I am not defending Slovik at all. I have previously stated that he got what he deserved. I DO question the decision to execute him. How many of the other sentenced to death for desertion (during WW2) were executed? None. So why did the others get a pass? Did Slovik desert worse than the others? Were the others nicer guys? Who knows. The only point I'm making is if you kill one, you kill all, don't pick and choose. I don't find it outrageous at all to think this might have been an unjust decision, the singularity of the decision points to it.

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How many of the other sentenced to death for desertion (during WW2) were executed? None. So why did the others get a pass?

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That is the key question. Opponents of the death penalty say it isn't a deterrant (ignoring that it deterrs the person executed from committing more crimes.) The reason it isn't a better deterrant is that the odds of a henious criminal being executed are about those of a person being struck by lightning -- and we don't go around holding lightning rods over our heads, do we?

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Originally Posted by Vern Humphrey

That is the key question. Opponents of the death penalty say it isn't a deterrant (ignoring that it deterrs the person executed from committing more crimes.) The reason it isn't a better deterrant is that the odds of a henious criminal being executed are about those of a person being struck by lightning -- and we don't go around holding lightning rods over our heads, do we?

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Opponents of the death penalty are making a phoney argument. The death penalty was never enacted into law to be a deterrent. The word penalty can have two meanings. One, punishment. The other, a fee for damages. It is the second that defines the death penalty which, is a payment for damages caused to society as a whole.

It goes back to English common law where everyone being subjects of the crown if one subject harmed another subject then they did harm to the crown and the crown demanded restitution in the form of payment either in cash, loss of property, loss of freedom or the ultimate loss - loss of life.

Well, okay then, debate the merits of the case regarding how guilty of desertion is for having deserting TWICE for a soldier in a war.

And if he got the same justice for the crime as other deserters.

Just let me toss this your way in this academic chase of excellence: how much justice did the KIA get for doing their duty get in WWII ???? They lost it all for all of us and never will get this kind of attention regarding individual by name recognition for their sacrifice.

I do not think the US Army executed this deserter without sufficient justification and I will not second guess them on that.

nuff said.

Frankly, I've never understood all the decades-worth of "hand-wringing" over the Slovik case. That he was the only one executed doesn't make his case all that unique....but rather does so in the cases that where the guilty party wasn't! From any direction you choose to look at it from...he glaringly deserved the punishment he got.

Remember gang....the President that executed the most soldiers for desertion is the very same one that granted the most pardons for the offense (Abraham Lincoln)