Wenceslaus Frank Konopka

Obituary Col. Wenceslaus "Frank" Konopka Wenceslaus "Frank" Konopka was born on March 31, 1917 in East St. Louis, Illinois. His parents were immigrants from Poland and arrived in this country with a spirit of optimism, a penchant for hard work and a belief that their adopted country would provide them with unlimited opportunity. Frank shared his parents' attributes, their love of this country, and in a long life well lived, he never failed to give back more than he received. After attending Catholic schools in East St. Louis, Frank entered the United States Army on May 4, 1941. He initially served as an enlisted man until January of 1943, when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Corps. of Engineers. Following his commissioning, Lt. Konopka was assigned to the 37th Engineer Combat Battalion as an Assistant Intelligence Officer. Following training in various stateside posts, his unit sailed to Swansea, South Wales in early 1944. With the invasion of Europe pending, Lt. Konopka was recognized for his leadership abilities and technical proficiency in demolition and construction and was assigned to assist in the advance planning of the D-Day invasion. To fulfill his duties, Lt. Konopka was granted ultra-top security "BIGOT" clearance. With this clearance, Lt. Konopka joined an extremely select group of military personnel who could be entrusted with advance knowledge of the landing locations of the Allied Armies on D-Day and the fortifications and defenses Allied troops would encounter on the beaches. Lt. Konopka was tasked with learning every aspect of the German defenses, and how to breach them, at Exit E-1, "Easy Red" Sector, Omaha Beach. This location is immediately below the Normandy American Cemetery. At approximately 0645 hours on D-Day, June 6, 1944, Lt. Konopka led his team of engineers ashore on Omaha Beach. On the death of his immediate superior, Lt. Konopka assumed his duties and later received a battlefield promotion based on his performance of duties. Despite horrific casualties, the 37th Engineer Combat Battalion is credited with blowing numerous gaps in the heavily defended beach and facilitating egress to the high ground and escape of the fire raining down from the bluffs. The 37th Engineer Combat Battalion was later awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and the Croix de Guerre with Palms from the French government. First Lt. Konopka's service continued through France to Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands and he was later selected to serve as an Inspector General in General Patton's command and also saw service in Korea and Vietnam. He retired in 1974 with the rank of Colonel. Young Lt. Konopka's greatest accomplishment in life was not forged on the beaches of Normandy, but rather in a restaurant in Paris. It was there while on an advance mission to scout locations for his troops to spend R & R that he entered a French restaurant. Despite the rigors of his military training and experience, the young Lt. found himself utterly unprepared to conquer the French language. The owner of the establishment, speaking no English, sought the assistance of his beautiful and highly intelligent daughter, Liliane Alfreda Lea Phalip. Despite having been accompanied by a number of fellow soldiers, Lt. Konopka again assumed command and over the course of the next several months, he eventually won Liliane's heart and her hand. They were married in Paris on July 3, 1945. In addition to being survived by his wife, Liliane Konopka, Col. Konopka is survived by his sister Helen Burlew of Illinois. He was preceded in death by an infant son and a daughter, Nadine Konopka. As a man of faith who cherished and loved his children deeply, he is now comforting them both in his arms. In light of his long and distinguished service to his country, Col. Konopka was once asked how it felt to be a member of what Tom Brokaw has called the "Greatest Generation". His reply was immediate, concise and clear as those who knew him came to expect. "Do not dwell on my war; it is over and done with. Instead, let us give our attention to the young men and women who are serving now as volunteers, without reservation, and as a result, undergoing the dangers an traumas of war and often sustaining lifelong injuries or dying for their country. They deserve all possible credit and support. I salute them." In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warriors Foundation or any other veteran charity in recognition of the service of our military. God Bless Col. Wenceslaus ("Frank") Konopka. And God Bless America. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church in Steilacoom with inurnment at Calvary Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.