Ben Zajicek and Charlie Tomek receive medals from Czech Republic

Two Milam Co. WWII Vets Honored by Czech Republic

by Jeanne Williams - Temple Daily Telegram

June 15, 2011

CAMERON - Though 66 years have passed since Charlie J. Tomek and Benjamin F. Zajicek

served with the U.S. Army in the liberation of Czechoslovakia from the Nazis, time

hasn’t faded the vivid memories of these World War II veterans.

Similarly, the Czech Republic has not forgotten May 1945, and the roles American troops

performed in “liberating its country from the shackles of Nazi domination and

occupation,” according to a proclamation from the mayor of Ennis.

Last month, Tomek, 91, and Zajicek, 86, were among six U.S. Army veterans of World War

II to be honored with the Czech Republic’s highest decoration, the Grade 1 Cross of

Merit.

Czech Republic 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel

Schwarzenberg and several Czech officials made the presentation at the 45th National

Polka Festival in Ennis last month.

Tomek, then a sergeant in the 2nd Division, 38th Field Artillery, who landed at

Normandy on June 7, 1944, was one of a few Czech-speaking soldiers chosen by the high

command to communicate with the residents of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia.

On the second day in the town, news was announced of Germany’s surrender.

“Man, was I glad,” Tomek said. One of the first wartime secrets revealed to the

American troops through Tomek’s interpreter skills was that the Pilsen brewery had

secreted 100 huge kegs of prime beer from the Germans.

“They didn’t know it was there because it was hidden underground, but the Czech people

let us have it and we celebrated,” Tomek said “They brought us kolaches, cakes and all

kinds of food. We were celebrating two days up there. That was nice.”

The Czech people were the nicest people Tomek said he had ever met, and though many

were in mourning over Nazi atrocities, they welcomed the soldiers and celebrated. Tomek

was surprised that more than 60 years later the nation remembered its American war

heroes.

“It was an honor,” Tomek said. “I never dreamed I would get something like that. When

we were in Pilsen, those people were so good to us, and they remembered all that.”

Zajicek, an infantryman who began his tour of duty in Europe during the Battle of the

Bulge, served in the 2nd Division, and found several Milam County men serving in the

outfit that is credited with liberating Czechoslovakia. The day after the troops

arrived, Zajicek celebrated his 20th birthday and got a monumental gift - news that

Germany had surrendered.

“Of course, we caught hell trying to get there,” said Zajicek, who was on the

battlefield in the Battle of Aachen, Battle of Leipzig and Battle of Halle. Zajicek

said he is thankful he returned home unscathed by war, and was surprised to learn that,

more than 60 years after troops freed the Czech people, they still remembered.

While both veterans were decorated with U.S. medals and campaign ribbons, they are

extremely proud to be remembered decades later by the Czech government.

“That is solid gold,” Tomek said, smiling broadly. “I am so proud to have this.”

jwilliams@tdtnews.com

All articles from the Temple Daily Telegram are published with the permission of the
Temple Daily Telegram.
All credit for this article goes to
Jeanne Williams and the Temple Daily Telegram

Ben Zakicek and Charlie Tomek recieve medals from Czech Republic

Ben Zakicek (left) and Charlie Tomek show off the medals they received from the Czech Republic.

photo by Shirley Williams - Telegram