Captiva man to receive Gratias Agit Award from Czech Republic April 23
Special to The Breeze
Karel Aster, the last survivor of 14 Czech nationals who volunteered for the United States Army during World War II, will be presented the Gratias Agit Award of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Czech Republic ambassador to the United States Thursday, April 23, on Captiva Island.
Aster at the age of 21, along with 13 other Czech nationals, volunteered for the war effort of the U.S. Army in the Philippines. Subsequently, all 14 Czech nationals became prisoners of war under the Japanese in 1942.
Like so many others, the crew of 14 participated in the “Victory March,” better known as the Bataan Death March. Those who survived the march were placed in “hell ships” for weeks on end where they were held like rats in wretched conditions.
Following the journey in the hell ships, Aster and his fellow surviving shipmates were encamped in the coal mine camps operated by the Japanese Army until the end of the war.
Prior to the war, the Bata Shoe Co. employed Aster when he was sent to the Philippines to help establish a production facility for the company.
On April 23, Petr Gandalovi?, the Czech Ambassador to the United States, will present to Aster the Gratias Agit Award from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Captiva Civic Association building, at 11550 Chapin Lane. The presentation will commence at 5 p.m. Details are available by calling 472-2111.
Aster was unable to attend the original presentation ceremony in Prague this past June.
“The Gratias Agit Award is the highest honor the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs bestows on an individual,” said Gandalovi?.
“I am honored to hand deliver the award to Karel, a true member of the greatest generation,” Gandalovi? concluded.
The Gratias Agit has been awarded since 1997 to acknowledge prominent personalities and non-governmental organizations who have committed themselves to working for the benefit of society, for the promotion of friendship among nations and for the promotion of the Czech Republic in the world. At present, it is the only statutory prize awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.