edward donald slovik was the only man in the u.s. military to have been executed for desertion during world war two.
who is the only man in the u.s. military to have been executed for desertion during world war two?
edward donald slovik
technical sergeant francis j. clark, u.s. army, company k, 109th infantry regiment received the medal of honor for gallantry during the siegfried line campaign on 12 september 1944.





























section::::world war ii.:desertion.





























edward donald slovik (18 february 1920 — 31 january 1945) was a private in the 109th infantry regiment during world war ii and the only american soldier to be executed for cowardice since the american civil war. although over 21,000 soldiers were given varying sentences for desertion during world war ii, including 49 death sentences, slovik's was the only death sentence carried out.





























section::::post world war ii service.
28th infantry division (united states)
toward the end of world war i, when the us eventually joined the war, desertion still occurred amongst american armed forces. one us navy deserter, henry holscher, later joined a uk regiment and won the military medal. 





























section::::united states.:world war ii.





























over 20,000 american soldiers were tried and sentenced for desertion during world war ii. forty-nine were sentenced to death, though 48 of these death sentences were subsequently commuted. only one us soldier, private eddie slovik, was executed for desertion in world war ii.





























section::::united states.:vietnam war.
desertion