Frank Bengier, one of the "Frozen Chosin" Marines of the Korean War

Frank John Bengier, long-time resident of Richmond, Ohio, died on Thursday, February 25, 2016.

Born September 21, 1931 in Hopedale, Harrison County, Ohio, he was the son of the late Peter and Constance (Kujawa) Bengier. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores (Toto) Bengier, his brothers Stanley, Casimir, and Joseph Bengier; and sisters Stella Stunda, Mary Anderson, Regina Bengier, Valeria Bicanovsky, Catherine Bengier and Anna Thomas.

Frank worked for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, where he was a conductor and brakeman in the railroad department. He retired in 1993 after forty years of service. Frank was known to enjoy a good joke or prank with his fellow workers. He was a member of St. John Fisher Catholic Church in Richmond. Frank and wife Dolores (Toto) were married for 49 years, and they raised six children in Richmond, Ohio.

One of the most significant events of his life was the 39 months (beginning in 1949) that he spent as a U.S. Marine during the Korean War. Frank's unit, the 1st Marine Regiment, First Battalion, Able Company, participated in the surprise amphibious landing at Inchon on September 15, 1950. He was part of the Marine force that fought through the dense streets to retake the city of Seoul from the North Koreans.

After capturing Seoul, his division was moved via sea to land (again) at Wonsan on the eastern Korean coast. The Chinese entered the war, and secretly moved 300,000 troops into Korea to surround the Americans. Then began the historic, brutal battle in freezing weather around Chosin Reservoir, where the 30,000 American troops (including the 14,000 Marines) were outnumbered more than 2-to-1. In fierce fighting that lasted over six weeks, there were 15,000 U.S. casualties and an estimated 40,000 Chinese casualties.

In order to finally escape being trapped in the mountainous terrain, the Marines needed to replace a blown-up bridge over a 2900-foot chasm south of Koto-ri. There occurred the last major engagement for Frank's company. To protect the bridge work by the Marine engineers, Able Company took the nearby summit of Hill 1081 on December 9th from the Chinese defenders, who fought to the last man. Frank's company then held the hill against counterattack to secure the exit through Funchilin Pass. All of the U.S. forces were then able to safely withdraw to Hungnam on the coast.

During the Chosin Reservoir campaign, the Marines suffered nearly 1,000 dead or missing, 3,500 wounded, and more than 6,000 non-battle casualties, mostly frostbite victims, of whom one-third returned to duty. Historian Edwin P. Hoyt called the Marine's march from Chosin Reservoir "one of the greatest retreats in the course of military history." Frank mustered out of the Marine Corps in 1952, ending this significant chapter of his life, when he joined the brotherhood of Marines proud to call themselves the "Frozen Chosin."

Frank is survived by his six children: sons Gary (Cynthia) Bengier of San Francisco, CA, Edward (Gina) of Steubenville, OH, Frank Jr. also of Steubenville, OH, daughters Linda (Eric) Young of Palmer, AK, Debra

Singleton of Mingo Junction, OH, and Constance (John) Rambo of Aldie, VA; twelve grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Everhart-Bove Funeral Home, 110 West Main St., Richmond on Saturday from 6-8 PM and Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated Monday 10 AM at St. John Fisher Catholic Church, Richmond with Father John McCoy, celebrant. Burial will follow at Richmond Union Cemetery with full Military Honors. Vigil service 7:45 PM Sunday at the funeral home. www.everhart-bovefuneralhomes.com