Eddie Drabic was born in 1947 in Union Bridge, Maryland. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 15, 1968, and after completing basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, PFC Drabic deployed to Southeast Asia. He served with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division in South Vietnam from September 12, 1968, until he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War 12 days later, on September 24, 1968. After spending 1,635 days in captivity, Sgt Drabic was released during Operation Homecoming on March 16, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and left active duty on July 12, 1973. Sgt Drabic was honorably discharged from the Army Reserve on April 1, 1974.

His 2nd Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

Sergeant Peter E. Drabic distinguished himself by meritorious achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period October 1971 to May 1972. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy's wishes and at the same time improving prisoner morale. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.