Английская Википедия:Alexander A. Drabik

Материал из Онлайн справочника
Перейти к навигацииПерейти к поиску

Шаблон:Infobox military person

Sgt. Alexander Albert Drabik (December 28, 1910 – September 28, 1993) was the first American soldier to cross the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine river at Remagen, Germany in World War II during the Battle of Remagen.[1][2] He led two other enlisted men across the bridge, running Шаблон:Convert while under fire, knowing that the demolition charges attached to the bridge could be detonated at any moment. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his action.

Biography

Drabik was the son of John D. and Frances (née Lewandowski) Drabik, Polish immigrants from Szymborze, Germany, now Poland.[3] They raised thirteen children on a farm near Holland and Toledo, Ohio.[4][5] Alex, youngest son of 14 children, attended Dorr Street School. He enlisted in the United States Army in October 1942.[6] Prior to his enlistment, he worked as a butcher in Holland, Ohio.[7]

Military career

Early in his military career, he distinguished himself by rescuing 120 recruits who had become lost in the California desert.[8] Drabik was seriously wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.[9]

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. He lost his helmet on the way. Drabik was the first American soldier to reach the east side of the bridge. For his heroism, Drabik was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[10] U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) has repeatedly sponsored legislation to award him the Medal of Honor.[4]

Файл:DrabikReceivesDSC4-5-45.jpg
Drabik is awarded the Distinguished Service Cross from MG John W. Leonard, April 1945.

Drabik later said:[11] Шаблон:Quote

Файл:MG John W. Leonard, Alexander A. Drabik and his Parents in Toledo Zoo.jpg
Major General John W. Leonard, Sgt. Alexander A. Drabik and his Parents in Toledo Zoo on August 18, 1945.

On August 18, 1945, Toledo honored him and his commanding officer, Maj. Gen. John W. Leonard, with a parade.[4]

Decorations

Шаблон:Ribbon devices
Шаблон:Ribbon devicesШаблон:Ribbon devices Шаблон:Ribbon devices
Шаблон:Ribbon devices Шаблон:Ribbon devices Шаблон:Ribbon devices Шаблон:Ribbon devices
Combat Infantryman Badge
Distinguished Service Cross Purple Heart Good Conduct Ribbon
American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three service stars World War II Victory Medal Belgian War Medal 1940-1945

Death

Drabik was killed in an auto accident in 1993, en route to a reunion of his unit.[1]

In media

The book Шаблон:Cite book mentions Drabik.

Drabik is referenced in 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]

Шаблон:Portal

References

Шаблон:Reflist

Партнерские ресурсы
Криптовалюты
Магазины
Хостинг
Разное

  1. ↑ 1,0 1,1 Obituary, "Alexander Drabik, 82, First G.I. To Cross Remagen Bridge in 1945", The New York Times, 1993-10-02.
  2. ↑ 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).
  3. ↑ Marker #59-48, Birthplace of Alexander Drabik Шаблон:Webarchive, Ohio Historical Society
  4. ↑ 4,0 4,1 4,2 Ryan E. Smith, "Dash over Rhine bridge sealed the Nazis' defeat", Toledo Blade, 2005-03-06.
  5. ↑ "First GI to Cross Rhine Unterrified By Lorelei Maiden", Stars & Stripes London Edition, 1945-03-12 at 1.
  6. ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
  7. ↑ University of Toledo Veterans History Project audio file.
  8. ↑ Toledo Veterans History Project audio file at 4:20.
  9. ↑ Toledo Veterans History Project audio file at 5:00.
  10. ↑ Remagen | photography
  11. ↑ Howard Langer, World War II: An Encyclopedia of Quotations, p. 206 (1999) Шаблон:ISBN.
  12. ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
  13. ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
Источник — http://wikihandbk.com/ruwiki/index.php?title=Английская_Википедия:Alexander_A._Drabik&oldid=13040962