[7] Early in his military career, he distinguished himself by rescuing 120 recruits who had become lost in the California desert.

[9] Squad leader Drabik, part of Able Company, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division received orders from Company commander, Lt. Karl H. Timmermann to assault the Ludendorff Bridge near Remagen on March 7, 1945, in an effort to seize and hold it.

Under heavy machine-gun fire, Drabik dashed across the bridge while Germans tried desperately to detonate it.

[10] U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) has repeatedly sponsored legislation to award him the Medal of Honor.

Drabik is referenced in a Hollywood film inspired by a book written about its capture, The Bridge at Remagen, was made in 1969.

The actor George Segal played the character Lieutenant Phil Hartman, based on Lt. Timmermann.