Thomas Alfred Despot

Thomas A. Despot and Dorothy Despot Noe

My hero is my great-grandfather, Thomas Alfred Despot. It may seem weird that my hero is someone that I have never met, but he is definitely someone I admire a lot. He was born in Serbia on December 27, 1915 and died during World War II on October 5, 1944.

He moved to America with his family when he was a teenager. Their family settled in Indianapolis, Indiana. His dad owned a bar and restaurant that helped him support his family. My great-grandfather went back to live in Serbia but decided he missed the Coca-Cola and hot dogs so much that he moved backed to America within a year.

He got a job in a meat packing plant and married my great-grandmother, Dorothy. They had a daughter before he joined the military and then he was sent off to Holland. His military position was a squad leader and anti-tank gun crewman. He was granted a one-day leave on May 10, 1944 and came home to visit his family.

He had to go back to the war and never returned. Thomas Alfred Despot died after being captured by enemy forces and held as a POW (Prisoner of War). He led his troops knowing he was not going to make it out alive. My grandfather was born in 1945 and never met his own father.

My great-grandfather is my hero because, even though he was not born in the United States of America, he loved this country enough to fight and ultimately die for it. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for serving and dying bravely for the country he loved. He was very courageous and has made our family proud.