GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – This Veterans Day, the Gridley Museum held a special event with guest of honor, Gridley’s Francis ‘Frank’ Heinrich.

Frank was invited by the Museum to speak about his and his family’s military service during WWII.

As attendees and family circulated through the museum, Frank was found sitting in a ring of chairs, informally sharing intimate conversations with those that came to hear his stories. It was clear that a sharp mind remained behind the 100-year-old veteran’s bright blue eyes and Frank was easily able to recount details to his listeners.  While he spoke about his own service, he recounted much of his brothers’ experiences.

The Heinrich family from Live Oak included 11 children. Frank was one of five Heinrich brothers that would serve active duty during WWII: William (Bill), Charles (Charlie), Robert (Bob) and himself. Two of his other brothers would also serve: Brother Richard was drafted into service in WWII and brother Harold, who was found medically unfit for service during that time, would recover and serve in the Korean War.

During WWII, Bill was the first to be drafted into service. His service in the Army kept him stateside, primarily serving in Texas where he worked with Army Hospitals.

Frank’s brothers Charlie and Bob would have much different experiences.

Frank told the Herald that Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Helena. During the Battle of Kula Gulf, March 1943, the USS Helena would fight Japanese destroyers. Reportedly, the enemy hit the ship with three torpedoes, breaking it into three parts and sinking her. Frank recounts the story of Charlie, who jumped off the ship into waters flooded with oil as the ship went down.

The Navy would write their mother, Katherine, providing her with a copy of what would equate to a press release about the loss of the USS Helena after so many asked for information about its demise. It comfortingly read, “It is believed that you will find strength and peace in the knowledge that the gallant fight waged by the officers and men of the USS Helena against great odds was in keeping with the finest traditions of the Navy.”

A copy of the letter and press release joined other military memorabilia and family photos as part of a display on the Heinrich Family.

Thankfully, Charlie was not one of those killed in action that day. Although he was lost for about 2 weeks, Charlie would be retrieved by Navy submarine after being harbored by friendly natives on nearby islands. Franks shares that out of a crew of about 1,100 on the USS Helena, Charlie was one of 450 that survived the attack. Charlie was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries.

Frank’s brother Bob would also experience heavy combat. He was drafted into the Army and landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France 6 days after D-Day. According to the Department of Defense D-Day fact sheet, the landing at Omaha Beach was part of a massive amphibious invasion of a 50-mile stretch of coast in France called Operation Neptune (assault phase of Operation Overlord) that began on D-Day, June 6^th of 1944.  Out of the multiple beaches stormed during that 24-day operation, Omaha reportedly had the highest casualties. Bob would persevere and spend most of the war in Germany and France. He was eventually awarded the Bronze Star and was discharged from the Army as a Captain.

It seems common for WWII Veterans to be hesitant to share their war stories. Frank agreed that this is a trend among his generation.  Of course, Frank remained humble and lightly touched on his position with the Coast Guard (Navy) during WWII. Part of his service involved hauling troops on a Navy troop transport across the seas. He sailed the Pacific, Caribbean, Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, downplaying his role in the war and reflecting his modest nature. When asked, he would delve into more detail and conversations would evolve, guests recalling details of their own family members’ service during WWII and other battles.

Listening to Frank was awe inspiring, fascinating, and yet solemn. For 6 of 7 brothers to serve the nation during war is a statement of their valiant patriotism. The fact that they all returned home alive could be considered a miracle.

Thank you to all our veterans that have served.