World War II Honoree

Frank T. Bendowski

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Carol Bendowski

Relationship

Daughter

PERSONALLY ENGAGED WITH REGIMENT OF THE 70TH DIVISION IN DECEMBER 1944 ON WEST BANK OF THE RHINE. AT WINGREN, HIS UNIT SEALED OFF 1,000 SS TROOPS AND REACHED VICTORY AFTER A 3 DAY BATTLE, BREAKING THE NORTHERN PRONG OF THE GERMAN DRIVE. TOOK THE TOWN OF STYRING-WENDEL AND LIBERATED APPROXIMATELY 1,000 ALLIED PRISONERS (ONE OF THE 1ST LIBERATIONS OF THE WAR). THE DIVISION MADE A NIGHT CROSSING OF THE SAAR AND 2 DAYS LATER CAPTURED SAARBRUCKEN. WHILE SWARMING THROUGH SIEGFRIED LINE DEFENSES, HE UNFORTUNATELY STEPPED ON A LAND MINE AND LOST HIS LEG BELOW THE KNEE. AFTER BEING CARRIED PIGGYBACK BEHIND THE LINES, HE WAS THEN TAKEN BY JEEP TO A FIELD HOSPITAL WHERE HE UNDERWENT HIS FIRST SURGERY. HE WAS LATER TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL LOCATED IN NANCY, FRANCE. SOMETIME LATER, HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE MCGUIRE GENERAL HOSPITAL IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA FOR FURTHER TREATMENT. AFTER BEING FITTED WITH AN ARTIFICIAL LIMB AND EXTENSIVE THERAPY, HE WAS DISCHARGED ON DECEMBER 9, 1945. AS A RESULT OF HIS INJURIES, HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, BRONZE STAR, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AND AMERICAN THEATRE RIBBON.