FRANK BLAHA, LCDR, USN
Frank Blaha '39
Lucky Bag
From the 1939 Lucky Bag:
FRANK BLAHA
Dillonvale, Ohio
Ha Ha
In July, 1935, Frankie hopefully set out from the hills of Dillonvale to seek fame in the service, and there are indications that the Navy will appreciate that day. It didn't take him long to get into the front ranks of that eventful plebe summer conglomeration, and to stay one of 39's most prominent members. He is just a swell lad with the patience to react to the antagonisms of close-ordered life with cheerfulness; with the working ability to keep on until a job is well executed; with the physical and mental abilities to be an above average athlete and student; and with the overall perspective to unite each day's lessons into a consolidated base upon which may be built a good career.
Football 4, 3, 2, 1, N.A.; Track 4, 3, 2, 1, N*; 1 Stripe.
FRANK BLAHA
Dillonvale, Ohio
Ha Ha
In July, 1935, Frankie hopefully set out from the hills of Dillonvale to seek fame in the service, and there are indications that the Navy will appreciate that day. It didn't take him long to get into the front ranks of that eventful plebe summer conglomeration, and to stay one of 39's most prominent members. He is just a swell lad with the patience to react to the antagonisms of close-ordered life with cheerfulness; with the working ability to keep on until a job is well executed; with the physical and mental abilities to be an above average athlete and student; and with the overall perspective to unite each day's lessons into a consolidated base upon which may be built a good career.
Football 4, 3, 2, 1, N.A.; Track 4, 3, 2, 1, N*; 1 Stripe.
Loss
Frank was lost when USS Escolar (SS 294) was sunk, probably by a mine, on or about October 17, 1944. He was the boat's executive officer.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz: "Father Joseph, manager of a general retail store, mother Anna, brother Joseph."
He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery and at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. His wife was listed as next of kin.
Photographs
From the Lucky Bag
Silver Star
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Frank Blaha (NSN: 0-82335), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Gunnery Officer of the U.S.S. GREENLING (SS-213), during THREE War Patrols of that Submarine in enemy controlled waters during World War II. His calm determination and great ability as Assistant Approach Officer contributed directly to the success of his submarine in the destruction of 61,800 tons of enemy shipping. While under gunfire from enemy surface craft, he courageously and coolly directed the gunfire of his ship from an exposed position, thereby causing damage to the enemy. His performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 29 (February 1, 1943)
Action Date: World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Gunnery Officer
Division: U.S.S. Greenling (SS-213)
The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.
The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.
The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.
Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.
October 1939
June 1940
November 1940
April 1941
Note
The Lucky Bag, both under his name and in the writeup, give his his hometown as "Dillonville," but this town doesn't seem to exist. Have changed it to "Dillonvale."
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
