Was Private Eddie Slovak of the United States Army ever exonerated?
No. He was tried and found guilty in a military courts martial.
He was offered several opportunities to return to his unit right up
to the point of his trial and even during the trial. He refused. He
instead played the foolish gamble that the United States would back
down and excuse his desertion. He knew what he was facing, he
decided to hope Eisenhower would back down. Ike didn't and Slovak
was executed. The movie was not an accurate portrayal of the
incidnet, but it made for great entertainment. He also deserted
twice and said if given the opportunity he would desert again. He
did not apply to become a consciencious objector, he was simply a
soldier with a criminal record who was drafted and refused to serve
his country. It was a terrible time for any American soldier, but
this incident occurred at a time when the United States could not
afford to have soldier's refusing to do their duty. The Battle of
the Bulge was in full swing and several soldiers were scared and
questioning the need to perform their duty. His Division the 28th
Division was in the center of this bulge and was one of the units
that suffered the heaviest losses in terms of dead, wounded and
those taken prisoner. Slovak became a sad example, but he chose to
be that example. He become a martyr for an ignorant and unjust
military system. Perhaps with a better defense counsel he could
have made an argument for a deminished mental capacity.
