Dorchester in Saline County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

PFC Charley Havlat

Photographed by Joan Shurtliff, September 1, 2014

1. PFC Charley Havlat Marker

Inscription. PFC Charley Havlat of Dorchester, Nebraska, was the last confirmed American combat fatality in the European Theater during World War II. He was born in rural Saline County, the oldest son of Anton and Antonia (Nemec) Havlat, Czech immigrants to Nebraska in the early 1900s. His brothers, Adoph, Rudolph, and Lumir, also served in the U.S. Army during the war. Charley and Rudolph served together in the 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. On the morning of May 7, 1945, two reconnaissance platoons were sent forward to locate German positions northeast of the Czech town of Volary. About 8:20 a.m. a burst of small arms fire from enemy soldiers in the woods struck the American patrol, wounding several and killing Havlat. Word of a formal cease-fire to take effect at 8:30 a.m. reached the American and German units a few minutes later. The cease-fire ended the war in Europe. Ironically, Havlat died while helping liberate his parents' homeland. He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery at Saint-Avold, France. More information on Charley Havlat can be found in the Saline County Museum.

Erected by Dorchester Area Community

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Foundation; Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 469.)

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 7, 1945.

Location. 40° 38.676′ N, 97° 6.897′ W. Memorial is in Dorchester, Nebraska, in Saline County. It can be reached from the intersection of Washington Avenue and Nebraska Highway 33, on the left when traveling east. On the grounds of the Saline County Museum. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Dorchester NE 68343, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pleasant Hill (approx. 4 miles away); Doane College (approx. 8.7 miles away);

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Gates College (approx. 8.7 miles away); Navy Department - United States of America (approx. 9 miles away); Historic Milford (approx. 9½ miles away); Erected to the memory of Bohemian pioneers in Saline County, Nebraska (approx. 9.6 miles away); Beaver Crossing, Nebraska (approx. 12½ miles away); The Beaver Crossing Mill (approx. 12½ miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2014, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. This page has been viewed 797 times since then and 39 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 1, 2014, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?