The Lone Executed American Deserter of the 20th Century
What does justice look like for Private Edward “Eddie” Slovik?
According to the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), 6,012 American war dead from World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII) are buried in plots A through D of the Oise-Aisne American Cemetary. Engraved on the monument in the memorial structure reads:
“These endured all and gave all that honor and justice might prevail and that the world might enjoy freedom and inherit peace”
But, 100 yards east of the main cemetery hidden in the trees is Plot E (pictured below). Plot E is the final resting place for 94 service members, who were court-martialed, convicted, and executed for rape or murder. The graves of the dishonored dead do not have crosses with their names like the others buried there or headstones of any kind. Instead, flat, numbered stones are the only identifying feature for the graves. To identify the buried, a key must be consulted. The United States Armed Forces wants to forget them.
The number buried used to total 95. Private Edward “Eddie” Slovik was buried in Plot E until 1987, when his remains were exhumed and returned home. Eddie was not a murderer or rapist; he was not a violent criminal at all. He was executed for a different reason.
