Eddie Slovik

Eddie Slovik was a private during WWII and is the only American soldier to be executed for cowardice since the Philippine–American War (1899-1902).

On October 8, 1944, after six weeks of deserting his detachment to stay safe with a Canadian military police unit, Slovik told his company commander that he was "too scared" to serve in a rifle company and asked to take part in the rear area unit. The captain offered the soldier to tear up the note and all would be forgiven but Slovik refused. The next day he approached his lieutenant colonel with the same plea and the same scenario played out. Slovik was taken into custody after that.

After the divisional judge advocate offered the frightened private another chance for amends, and after another rebuff, Eddie Slovik was charged with desertion to avoid hazardous duty and court martialed on November 11, 1944.

A month later Slovik wrote to General Dwight Eisenhower, begging for clemency. Because desertion was so prevalent at the time, the general did not accept and warranted the execution. Slovik was executed by firing squad on January 31, 1945, near Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, France. He was 24 years old.