This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Nicole Summers, MMFN
to remember
Blaha, Frank, LCDR.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Dillonville, OH
Last Address 122 Glendora Long Beach, CA
Casualty Date Oct 17, 1944
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates M1-127 (memorial marker)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
The USS Escolar (SS-294) set out on her first war patrol on 18 September 1944. On 30 September she reported attacking a small surface ship. Her last communication was on 17 October 1944. There are no records to indicate she was attacked and it has been presumed that she struck a mine and sunk. Lieutenant Commander Blaha was listed as Missing in Action and later declared dead on 14 November 1945.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 082335
Silver Star
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Division: U.S.S. Greenling (SS-213)
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 29 (February 1, 1943)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Frank Blaha (NSN: 0-82335), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Gunnery Officer of the U.S.S. GREENLING (SS-213), during THREE War Patrols of that Submarine in enemy controlled waters during World War II. His calm determination and great ability as Assistant Approach Officer contributed directly to the success of his submarine in the destruction of 61,800 tons of enemy shipping. While under gunfire from enemy surface craft, he courageously and coolly directed the gunfire of his ship from an exposed position, thereby causing damage to the enemy. His performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 10 June 1942, at Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, PA.; Launched, 18 April 1943; Commissioned USS Escolar (SS-294), 2 June 1944; Sunk on 1st patrol, depth charged by Japanese Frigate (kaibokan) CD-38 & Patrol Boat 102 (ex-USS Stewart, DD-224) on 19 October 1944, in Yellow Sea, all hands lost; Struck from the Naval Register, (date unknown).
Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 8"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2kts; Operating Depth Limit, 400 ft; Complement 6 Officers 60 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, one 40mm gun, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four Fairbanks-Morse main generator diesel engines, 5,400 hp, Fuel Capacity 116,000 gal., four Elliot Motor Co., main motors with 2,740 hp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
The approximate location of the USS Escolar's sinking.
