Frank Earl Kessinger (1918 - 2004)

Born 18 May 1918 in Bancroft, Nebraska, USA

Ancestors

Husband of June (Cerise) Kessinger — married 26 Dec 1948 in Glenwood Springs, Garfield, Colorado, United States

Died 17 Mar 2004 at age 85 in Greeley, Weld County, Colorado

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Judy Dimmick [send private message]

Biography

Frank Kessinger was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Frank Kessinger was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Purple Heart

Staff Sgt. Frank Kessinger served in the United States Army in World War II
Service started: Jan. 20, 1941
Unit(s): First Special Service Forces
Service ended: July 2, 1945

Staff Sgt. Frank Kessinger was Wounded In Action during World War II.

Frank enlisted in the Army January 20, 1941, and was one of the original seven members of the historical 1,800 member unit, the First Special Service Force, and later the 101st Airborne. The First Special Service Force was modeled on Lord Louis Mountbatten's Combined Operations Command, which meant they were able to fight on land, sea, air and in winter conditions. Norwegian Army Ski Troops were brought to Montana to teach our forces cross-country skiing prior to their duty in Italy in 1943 where they captured Monte LaDifensa, Monte Sammuero and Monte Mojo; however, they earned the nickname "The Devil's Brigade" at Anzio. They seized bridges south of Rome before their last duty under Edwin A. Walker, in which they seized three islands off the south coast of France on August 14 in order to protect the Allied Invasion. The force was disbanded December 5, 1944 to fight the totalitarian regimes of Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini. The German soldiers who occupied Italian soil during these years referred to this military group as “Der Teufel’s Brigada,” or “The Devil’s Brigade” because of their fierce fighting style and blackened faces. These Americans and Canadians were in an elite guerrilla hand-to-hand combat group who went into enemy encampments during the night and captured the most high ranking of German officers so as to be able to interrogate them and find out crucial information. Any assignment that was labeled “highest danger” went to the men of the Devil’s Brigade.

When that group was disbanded, only 400 had survived out of the original 1,800; Frank was one of the few who joined the "Screaming Eagles" unit in the 101st Airborne, where he earned two Purple Hearts. After his discharge July 2, 1945, he attended Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, where he met his wife. He became a Roman Catholic during World War II and belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans when the war was over.

Frank operated the White Palace and Chef restaurants in Greeley with my father and other businesses before opening the 11th Avenue Pantry in Evans, Colorado in 1969. He had lived in my parents boarding house when I was very young, and I felt very close to him right up until the last time I saw him when he visited me at the time of my grandmother's death. His services for others included volunteer work at the hospital, St. Peter’s Catholic Church and the VA in Cheyenne. He also served on the city council and water boards in Evans.

His final assignment in World War II was a little get-together at Bastogne, Belgium, called the “Battle of the Bulge." Frank was wounded three times during various World War II battles, but refused to be sent home to a safer environment. When asked why he wouldn’t go home, he replied, “My work here isn’t over.” In July of 2013 the Congregional Medal of Honor was given collectively to the First Special Service Force in recognition of their superior service in World War II. This fine soldier is now with the commander he loves and respects the most. God bless Sgt. Frank Kessinger, a great patriot and a great American. I added this poem I wrote about Frank's life because he meant a lot to me from the time I was a kindergartner, and his closeness to me and my family continued through the days I'll never forget when he visited me when both my father and grandmother died. A REGULAR GUY

Have you known a person all through your life you thought of as a ‘regular guy’? Well, the one in this poem was that kind of a man who was in my life when I was just a tot! My parents ran a ‘boarding house’ for college students back then And this regular guy was one of the boarders I loved a lot. Since “Time flies” as we’re prone to say, eventualy this story came my way– So surprising, as Frank was a hero, tried and true –and I’m proud to share this history with you. Frank became part of The Devil’s Brigade,, heroes who served in World War Two, Some were taught in the Rockies to ski, and they skied in stealth, to save you and me. They descended to mansions where Germans were known, But because of our heroes, their cover was blown; And soldiers like Frank, took their lives in their hands, Ending the lives of these threatening bands.. And though Frank was injured, he wouldn’t give up, He felt there was still so much more he could do, So into the Screaming Eagles he went, And in the Battle of the Bulge his next days were spent. There must be much more I could share about Frank, But it’s all I know for now, and I thank Our Father above who blesses us so That the history of Frank is one that I know. Judy Kay Dimmick

Sources

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/obituaries/tribune-obituaries-18/

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/local/weld-has-lost-great-world-war-ii-hero/

http://www.specialforcesroh.com/gallery.php?do=view_image&id=31137&gal=gbjmdyhvataw

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/126704082/frank-earl-kessinger

https://www.fold3.com/search?keywords=Frank+Kessinger Veteran Birls

"The Lighthearted Soldier: A Canadian's Exploits with the Black Devils in WW II", page 147, book by Herb Peppard, originally published in 1994

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/GWJ1-TD9