Alexander A. Drabik
Alexander Albert Drabik | |
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![]() Alexander A. Drabik, Sgt., US Army | |
Born |
near, Holland, Sylvania Township, Lucas County, Ohio | December 28, 1910
Died |
September 28, 1993 82) Columbia, Boone County, Missouri | (aged
Place of burial | Resurrection Cemetery, Toledo, Lucas, Ohio |
Allegiance |
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Service/branch |
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Years of service | 1942-1945 |
Rank |
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Unit |
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Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross |
Sgt. Alexander Albert Drabik (December 28, 1910 - September 28, 1993) was the first American soldier to cross the Rhine River.[1][2] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his action, running the entire length of the 398 metres (1,306 ft) bridge while under fire.
Biography
Squad leader Drabik, part of Able Company, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division received orders from Company commander, Lt. Karl H. Timmermann to assault the Ludendorff Bridge near Remagen on March 7, 1945 in an effort to seize and hold it.
Under heavy machine-gun fire, Drabik dashed across the bridge while Germans tried desperately to detonate it. Drabik was the first American soldier to reach the east side of the bridge. For his heroism, Drabik was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[3] U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) has repeatedly sponsored legislation to award him the Medal of Honor.[4]
![](../I/m/DrabikReceivesDSC4-5-45.jpg)
Drabik later said:[5]
We ran down the middle of the bridge, shouting as we went. I didn't stop because I knew that if I kept moving they couldn't hit me. My men were in squad column and not one of them was hit. We took cover in some bomb craters. Then we just sat and waited for others to come. That's the way it was.
![](../I/m/MG_John_W._Leonard%2C_Alexander_A._Drabik_and_his_Parents_in_Toledo_Zoo.jpg)
Drabik was the son of John D. and Frances (nee Lewandowski) Drabik , Polish immigrants from Szymborze, Germany, now Poland. [6] They raised thirteen children on a farm near Holland and Toledo, Ohio.[4] [7] Alex, youngest son of 14 children, attended Door Street School. He enlisted in the United States Army in October 1942. [8] Prior to his enlistment, he worked as a butcher in Holland, Ohio.[9] Early in his military career, he distinguished himself by rescuing 120 recruits who had become lost on the California desert.[10] Drabik was seriously wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.[11] On August 18, 1945, Toledo honored him and his commanding officer, Maj. Gen. John W. Leonard, with a parade.[4]
Drabik was killed in an auto accident in 1993, en route to a reunion of his unit.[1]
Decorations
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Combat Infantryman Badge | ||||||||||||||||||
1st Row | Distinguished Service Cross | Purple Heart | Good Conduct Ribbon | |||||||||||||||
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2nd Row | American Campaign Medal | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three service stars | World War II Victory Medal | Belgian War Medal 1940-1945 | ||||||||||||||
In media
The following book mentions Drabik:
- Hechler, Ken (2004). Hero of the Rhine: The Karl Timerrmann Story (1st Edition ed.). Pictorial Histories. ISBN 978-1-57510-110-1.
Drabik is referenced directly or indirectly in the following media and work;
- A Hollywood film inspired by a book written about its capture, The Bridge at Remagen, was made in 1969. The actor George Segal played the character Lieutenant Phil Hartman, based on Lt. Timmermann. Ben Gazzara as Sergeant Angelo was based on Sgt. Alexander A. Drabik the first soldier across the bridge.[12][13]
- The Ludendorff Bridge features prominently in the final mission of the game Call of Duty: Finest Hour, in which the player must cross the bridge in order to capture it.
See also
- Hechler, Ken. The Bridge at Remagen (Updated version by Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana, including chapter on the film.)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Obituary, Alexander Drabik, 82, First G.I. To Cross Remagen Bridge in 1945, New York Times, 1993-10-02.
- ↑ Orientation Branch, Information and Education Services, Headquarters, Theater Services Forces, European Theater, The 9th: The Story of the 9th Armored Division (Stars & Stripes: Paris 1945).
- ↑ Remagen | photography
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ryan E. Smith, Dash over Rhine bridge sealed the Nazis' defeat, Toledo Blade, 2005-03-06.
- ↑ Howard Langer, "World War II: An Encyclopedia of Quotations," 206 (1999) ISBN 0-313-30018-6.
- ↑ Ohio Historical Society Marker #59-48, Birthplace of Alexander Drabik http://www.remarkableohio.org/HistoricalMarker.aspx?historicalMarkerId=106211
- ↑ First GI to Cross Rhine Unterrified By Lorelei Maiden, Stars & Stripes London Edition, 1945-03-12 at 1.
- ↑ http://www.remarkableohio.org/HistoricalMarker.aspx?historicalMarkerId=106211
- ↑ University of Toledo Veterans History Project audio file.
- ↑ Toledo Veterans History Project audio file at 4:20.
- ↑ Toledo Veterans History Project audio file at 5:00.
- ↑ "American film-makers use Austrian tanks in Most". Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ↑ "Demolition and construction of the city" (in Czech). Retrieved 28 August 2012.