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 398 metres (1,306 ft) 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.
Alexander Albert Drabik
Alexander A. Drabik, Sgt., US Army
Born
(1910-12-28)December 28, 1910 near, Holland, Springfield Township, Lucas County, Ohio
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]
Drabik is awarded the Distinguished Service Cross from MG John W. Leonard, April 1945.
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.
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]
Drabik was killed in an auto accident in 1993, en route to a reunion of his unit.[1]
In media
The book Hechler, Ken (2004). Hero of the Rhine: The Karl Timerrmann Story (1st ed.). Pictorial Histories. ISBN978-1-57510-110-1. 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]
^ abObituary, "Alexander Drabik, 82, First G.I. To Cross Remagen Bridge in 1945", The 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).
^Marker #59-48, Birthplace of Alexander Drabik 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine, Ohio Historical Society
^ abcRyan E. Smith, "Dash over Rhine bridge sealed the Nazis' defeat", Toledo Blade, 2005-03-06.
^"First GI to Cross Rhine Unterrified By Lorelei Maiden", Stars & Stripes London Edition, 1945-03-12 at 1.
^. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
^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.
^Howard Langer, World War II: An Encyclopedia of Quotations, p. 206 (1999) ISBN0-313-30018-6.
^"American film-makers use Austrian tanks in Most". Retrieved 24 August 2012.
^"Demolition and construction of the city" (in Czech). Retrieved 28 August 2012.
February 19, 2023
alexander, drabik, alexander, albert, drabik, december, 1910, september, 1993, first, american, soldier, cross, ludendorff, bridge, over, rhine, river, remagen, germany, world, during, battle, remagen, other, enlisted, across, bridge, running, metres, while, u. 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 398 metres 1 306 ft 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 Alexander Albert DrabikAlexander A Drabik Sgt US ArmyBorn 1910 12 28 December 28 1910near Holland Springfield Township Lucas County OhioDiedSeptember 28 1993 1993 09 28 aged 82 Columbia Boone County MissouriPlace of burialResurrection Cemetery Toledo Lucas OhioAllegiance United States of AmericaService wbr branchUnited States ArmyYears of service1942 1945RankStaff SergeantUnitCompany A Able 27th Armored Infantry Battalion Combat Command B 9th Armored DivisionBattles warsWorld War IIAwardsDistinguished Service CrossPurple Heart Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Military career 1 2 Decorations 2 Death 3 In media 4 ReferencesBiography EditDrabik was the son of John D and Frances nee 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 Edit 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 Drabik is awarded the Distinguished Service Cross from MG John W Leonard April 1945 Drabik later said 11 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 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 Edit Combat Infantryman BadgeDistinguished Service Cross Purple Heart Good Conduct RibbonAmerican Campaign Medal European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three service stars World War II Victory Medal Belgian War Medal 1940 1945Death EditDrabik was killed in an auto accident in 1993 en route to a reunion of his unit 1 In media EditThe book Hechler Ken 2004 Hero of the Rhine The Karl Timerrmann Story 1st ed Pictorial Histories ISBN 978 1 57510 110 1 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 Biography portal World War II portalReferences Edit a b Obituary Alexander Drabik 82 First G I To Cross Remagen Bridge in 1945 The 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 amp Stripes Paris 1945 Marker 59 48 Birthplace of Alexander Drabik Archived 2015 09 24 at the Wayback Machine Ohio Historical Society a b c Ryan E Smith Dash over Rhine bridge sealed the Nazis defeat Toledo Blade 2005 03 06 First GI to Cross Rhine Unterrified By Lorelei Maiden Stars amp Stripes London Edition 1945 03 12 at 1 Remarkable Ohio Archived from the original on 2015 09 24 Retrieved 2015 03 09 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 Remagen photography Howard Langer World War II An Encyclopedia of Quotations p 206 1999 ISBN 0 313 30018 6 American film makers use Austrian tanks in Most Retrieved 24 August 2012 Demolition and construction of the city in Czech Retrieved 28 August 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alexander A Drabik amp oldid 1058707657, 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