Sgt. Ernest Anthony Zablock was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 31, 1923, to Peter Zablock and Charlotte Zaur-Zablock and had a sister and a brother. His family resided Cicero before moving to 246 South 13th Avenue, Maywood, Illinois. He attended Saint Anthony School, Cicero, Illinois, and graduated from Proviso Township High School in 1942. After high school, he worked for the Borg-Warner Company, Bellwood, Illinois.
On June 26, 1942, he registered with Selective Service and named his mother as his contact person. He was drafted into the US Army on March 31, 1943, and issued the serial number 36 743 081. It is known he trained at Camp Polk, Louisiana, at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and at a base in Mississippi, but it is not known when he trained at each base. At some point, he became a member of B Company, 166th Combat Engineers.
What is known is that the 166th took part in the breakout out from Normandy by building bridges and removing obstacles. It was also involved in the Battle of the Bulge, and the fighting in Germany. He was in Germany for the German surrender on May 8, 1945. After the surrender, his unit was stationed in Regensburg, Germany. From his Individual Deceased Personnel File, it is known that on July 4, 1945, Ernest was accidently shot in his chest by his best friend. How and why it happened is not known, but two days later on July 6, 1945, he was buried in the US Military Cemetery #1, Nurnberg, Germany. It is known that not even a year later, Ernest had been exhumed and buried at the US Military Cemetery St. Avold, France, in Plot EE, Row 1, Grave 21.
Since Ernest had died in military service, his father was considered his next-of-kin. In a letter dated December 6, 1946, he was told where Ernest was buried and the location of his grave in the letter.
6 December 1946
Mr. Peter Zablock
1900 South 5th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mr. Zablock:
The War Department is most desirous that you be furbished information regarding the burial location of your son, the late Sergeant Ernest A. Zablock, A.S.N. 36 743 081.
The records of this office disclose that his remains are interred in the U. S. Military Cemetery, St. Avold, plot EE, row 1, grave 21. You may be assured that the identification and interment have been accomplished with fitting dignity and solemnity.
This cemetery is located twenty-three miles east of Metz, France, and is under the constant care and supervision of the United States personnel.
The War Department has now been authorized to comply, at Government expense, with the feasible wishes of the next of kin regarding final interment, here or abroad, of the remains of your loved one. At a later date, this office will, without any action on your part, provide the next of kin with full information and solicit his detailed desires.
Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
T. B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
Another letter, dated October 13, 1947, arrived with additional information on Ernest’s final burial. This letter provided Peter Zablock with information on his options for Ernest’s final burial. He was asked to complete an enclosed form and return it to the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC. The form was received by the OQMG on November 11, 1947, stating his father wanted Ernest returned to Illinois for his final burial.
Ernest was exhumed from the US Military Cemetery St. Avold and taken by train to the OIC Casketing Point, Antwerp, Belgium, arriving there on September 20, 1948. His remains were casketed and remained there until October 29th, when his casket was placed on the USAT Carroll Victory which sailed the same day. The ship arrived in the New York Port of Entry on November 16, 1948, and by train with a military escort, sent to the Quartermaster Corps Distribution Center #8, Chicago.
In a military hearse, with a military escort, his casket was taken to the Suburban Funeral Home, Maywood, Illinois on December 13, 1948. A Catholic service at the funeral home took place the next day, and Sgt. Ernest A. Zablock was buried, on December 14, 1948, in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois, in Grave 2, Lot 4, Block 17, Section 14.
