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Sgt. Alexander Albert Drabik (December 28, 1910 – September 28, 1993) was the first American soldier to cross the Rhine river in World War II.〔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).〕 He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his action, running the entire length of the 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. 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.〔(Remagen | photography )〕 U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) has repeatedly sponsored legislation to award him the Medal of Honor.〔Ryan E. Smith, ''Dash over Rhine bridge sealed the Nazis' defeat'', Toledo Blade, 2005-03-06.〕 Drabik later said:〔Howard Langer, "World War II: An Encyclopedia of Quotations," 206 (1999) ISBN 0-313-30018-6.〕 Drabik was the son of John D. and Frances (nee Lewandowski) Drabik , Polish immigrants from Szymborze, Germany, now Poland. 〔Ohio Historical Society Marker #59-48, Birthplace of Alexander Drabik http://www.remarkableohio.org/HistoricalMarker.aspx?historicalMarkerId=106211〕 They raised thirteen children on a farm near Holland and Toledo, Ohio.〔 〔''First GI to Cross Rhine Unterrified By Lorelei Maiden'', Stars & Stripes London Edition, 1945-03-12 at 1.〕 Alex, youngest son of 14 children, attended Dorr Street School. He enlisted in the United States Army in October 1942. 〔http://www.remarkableohio.org/HistoricalMarker.aspx?historicalMarkerId=106211〕 Prior to his enlistment, he worked as a butcher in Holland, Ohio.〔(University of Toledo Veterans History Project audio file ).〕 Early in his military career, he distinguished himself by rescuing 120 recruits who had become lost on the California desert.〔(Toledo Veterans History Project audio file ) at 4:20.〕 Drabik was seriously wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.〔(Toledo Veterans History Project audio file ) at 5:00.〕 On August 18, 1945, Toledo honored him and his commanding officer, Maj. Gen. John W. Leonard, with a parade.〔 Drabik was killed in an auto accident in 1993, en route to a reunion of his unit.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Alexander A. Drabik」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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