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Leonard Dziabas

WWII | H Company, 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division

As he raced toward Rome, machine gunner Leonard Dziabas took out his machete to clear some corn stalks when he startled some German soldiers who cowered at the sight of cold steel. After that heroic capture, which earned him a Bronze Star, he was soon marveling at the sunset glow over the great city as he approached from the hills above. (7:38)
One of the first American soldiers to enter Rome, Leonard Dziabas was on a quiet, dark street when a paisano tugged at his arm and asked if he was German. When he answered, the street came alive and the cry, "Americano" reverberated through the city. Soon he was swarmed with girls and offerings of food and drink. But the combat wasn't over. (9:07)
Moving through Italy, Leonard Dziabas saw the Pope's summer palace on his way to the coast, where he threaded his way through minefields to take a swim in the ocean. Back on the march northward, it was mountains, snipers and, finally, a well planned and executed assault. (8:10)
The machine gun squad was waiting on ammunition, but when they heard a noise coming from a cave, they pointed the unloaded weapon and soon Leonard Dziabas was accepting the surrender of an entire company of German soldiers. (5:48)
Fleeing German bombardment in a small Italian town, Leonard Dziabas pulled a grate from a wall and his unit tumbled down into a catacomb full of frightened civilians. Moving on to the Arno River, he had difficulties with an inexperienced Lieutenant and a cow, before receiving yet another barrage. (9:11)
The farmer needed to milk his cows so they let him through the lines, but when they did that, German artillery rained down on them. After taking care of that little problem, they went into Florence where Leonard Dziabas again caught a spectacular view of a historic Italian city from hills above. Then, for some reason, the American forces were split up, leaving his unit facing superior numbers. (8:22)
After battling across rugged Italian mountains in a fierce rainstorm, the company commander lost his cool. Leonard Dziabas recalls how the Captain just left the company there, with no idea of orders or mission. Told by the Colonel to look for a wayward unit, they nearly ran into a German battalion before finding the lost company nearly annihilated. (9:40)
He thought a grenade landed at his feet, but when Leonard Dziabas picked it up to throw it back, he realized the desperate Germans were throwing rocks at him. That night, he didn't take the bait as the enemy tried to trick him and the next day, the Sergeant who had given him a hard time all year was killed due to his own anger. (6:29)
Their unit was relieved but before they could even get some sleep, H Company had to move out. Machine gunner Leonard Dziabas found himself babysitting two Air Corps Lieutenants who were attached as observers, but they disappeared when they tried to traverse a swamp in their Oxfords. (4:25)
The pack mule was hit by shrapnel, and after a little mule stew, the unit was surprised with new uniforms and cold weather gear. Squad Leader Leonard Dziabas traded in his lucky jacket and watched as his men fought over it. He soon wished he still had it. In a ferocious assault at the Po Valley, he heard two artillery rounds with his name on them. (9:02)