Frank Blish

Frank “Sonny” Blish served with the 101st Airborne Division during WWII, parachuting into France on D-Day and participating in the Battle of the Bulge. Sonny was in Bastogne when Nazi forces surrounded the 101st. While in Bastogne, he was hit by shrapnel from a mortar. He attempted to seek help at the medical aid center, but the doctor told him, "Get out, I have people dying in here." As a result of the harsh circumstances, Frank had no choice but to remove eight pieces of shrapnel from his left leg and bandage it himself, leading to extensive scarring. His family attempted to have the Department of the Army award him a Purple Heart Medal. However, their requests were denied due to a lack of documentation at the time of his injury. Sonny also served as a guard at Hitler's retreat, better known as the Eagle’s Nest.

‍