American Valor Quarterly Issue 1 - Winter 2007 | Page 10

Babe: One of the men in 2nd Platoon, Stephen Grodski,
who we called the Brow because he looked like the character
from the Dick Tracy comics—he had one big eyebrow across
his forehead that looked like it was drawn on with some
grease paint—he would make us the last hot meal I
remember having for seventy-some days. We were in the
middle of an apple orchard, and he made a stew out of
everything we could find. He put it all in a helmet and
cooked it with a Bunsen burner.

gave him his last rites before he died. Let me tell you about
Father Maloney. He was a hero. As spiritual guide for the
506th, he had twelve rifle companies to worry about, not
counting regimental headquarters. He went from company
to company holding Mass, giving last rites and spiritual aid,
wherever he was needed. He risked his life going onto the
battlefield to save someone’s soul. His job was saving souls,
not lives. He didn’t carry a gun, only his chalice, crucifix,
and sacramental stuff. I imagine he enjoyed meeting his
maker, because that’s the way he treated people and the
In the morning, we had a forced march