Frank Helsel graduated from Hollidaysburg High School in 1930, and then attended Gettysburg College and Gettysburg Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, and was ordained a Lutheran minister after graduation in 1938. His first pastorate was in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, from which he enlisted for military service in 1942, and was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain. He earned a Silver Star in World War II and after his discharge became the pastor of a Lutheran Church in Youngstown, until he returned to military service in 1947. He once again served in combat as a chaplain in the Korean War, and earned a second Silver Star. He retired as a U.S. Army colonel after 26 years of military duty. Following retirement, he accepted an invitation to pastor Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Boonsboro, Maryland, where he served for 7 years. After retiring for a second time, he moved to Frederick, Maryland, where he lived with his wife until his death in 1998.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Division:
43d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 43d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 290 (1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Frank Ernest Helsel (ASN: 0-485156), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as a Chaplain with the 43d Infantry Division, in action at Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1945. Chaplain Helsel distinguished himself by his conscientious concern for the welfare of all personnel while in combat against the enemy. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
38th Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 28, 1951
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 173 (June 16, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Frank E. Helsel (ASN: 0-485156), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a Chaplain and member of Headquarters Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 28 May 1951, in the vicinity of Hyon-ni, Korea. On that date Chaplain Helsel was visiting front line units which were prepared to attack an enemy-held hill. While Chaplain Helsel was at the heavy mortar company’s position, the enemy began to place intense mortar fire in the immediate area, wounding many of the crew members in the nearby mortar positions. Realizing that the wounded needed immediate attention, Chaplain Helsel, with complete disregard for his personal safety, boldly and valiantly exposed himself to the deadly mortar fire to attend to several wounded men, carrying one seriously wounded man to a place of safety and administering first aid which saved his life. The gallantry and utter disregard for his own safety displayed by Chaplain Helsel reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.