World War II Honoree

Frank Vincent Benak

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Scottville, Michigan

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

Relationship

A Grateful American

He was assigned to Cannon Company, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, and deployed to present day Papua, New Guinea in December 1942. In an attempt to neutralize Japanese forces near the town of Buna, Benak's unit attacked enemy defensive positions in the north. He was reported missing in action on December 5 while on combat patrol near Buna Creek. His remains were identified by the DPAA in February 2024 and buried in Miami, Florida on April 13, 2024.