"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
The Execution of Pvt. Eddie Slovik

FROM: The Detroit News ~
By Zena Simmons

http://info.detnews.com/history/stor...ategory=people
(w/great photos)

On Jan. 31, 1945, Hamtramck-born Eddie Slovik was executed by firing a
squad near the village of Ste-Marie aux Mines for the crime of
desertion. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme allied commander,
personally ordered the execution during the closing days of World War
II in order to deter other potential deserters.

During World War II, 21,049 American military personel were convicted
of desertion, 49 were sentenced to death, but only Pvt. Slovik paid
the ultimate price. In fact, he was the only American soldier to be
executed for desertion since the American Civil War.

Somebody has to be the example and Eddie's number came up.