Edward Donald Slovik (February 18, 1920 – January 31, 1945)

On this day, Pvt. Eddie Slovik becomes the first American soldier
since the Civil War to be executed for desertion-and the only one
who suffered such a fate during World War II.

Although over 21,000 American soldiers were given varying
sentences for desertion during the war, including 49 death
sentences, Slovik’s death sentence was the only one that was
carried out.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

On this day in 1974, President Gerald Ford announced a conditional amnesty program for draft-evaders and deserters during the Vietnam War.

In west Beirut on this day in 1982, the massacre of hundreds of Palestinian men, women and children began in refugee camps
of the Lebanese Christian militiamen.

MIKE GRACIA

Explorer 1 was launched on January 31, 1958 at 22:48 Eastern Time.

Edward Donald "Eddie" Slovik
(February 18, 1920 – January 31, 1945)

Army Private Slovic is the only U.S. soldier to be court- 
martialled and executed for desertion since the Civil War.

            
              Pearl Zane Grey 
              (January 31, 1872 – October 23, 1939)

              Zane Grey was a dentist and author best known for his 
              popular adventure novels and stories associated with
              the Western genre.