Harrison World War II Marine veteran honored on anniversary of Okinawa invasion
Frank M. Bavetz said being left-handed saved his life.
“When I was in boot camp, I told them I was a southpaw (left-handed) and they said I had to learn to shoot right-handed,” the Harrison resident said Thursday as he sat in David’s Diner, commonly known as Dave’s, in Springdale Township. “Because I couldn’t shoot well, I wasn’t put on the front line. They wanted sharpshooters. That’s why I am here today.”
Bavetz, who turns 95 on Tuesday, recalled his days in the service, where he earned the rank of sergeant with the 2nd Marine Air Wing. His World War II service included involvement in the invasion of Okinawa in Japan. The last major battle of the war, it took place 76 years ago, on April 1, 1945.
On Thursday, he was presented an American flag in a display case. He also received a birthday cake from fellow members of Marine Corps League Detachment No. 827, based in Springdale.
“Frank is an amazing guy,” said Emil Zilka of Frazer, a Vietnam veteran and member of the Marine Corps League Detachment. “He is still so involved. When we have parades, he wants to march. We are losing World War II vets all the time. He sacrificed so much. What they went through for our freedom is incredible.”
Bavetz, who grew up in Brackenridge, thought he was merely meeting Zilka for breakfast. When he walked in, he saw a group of 25 people — including two of his children, grandchildren and friends.
Bavetz enlisted when he was 18 and served until the end of the war in 1945. He said he chose the Marines because he had good friends in that branch.
He turned 19 while in Okinawa.
“I did what I was told,” he said. “I didn’t know any better.”
While in Okinawa, Bavetz witnessed a plane that was spraying DDT, an insecticide. It crashed because it flew too low. It was carrying a brother of a member from Bavetz’s platoon.
“That was tough to see,” he said.
When he returned to the United States, he got a job at Allegheny Ludlum Steel’s Brackenridge Works in Harrison, where he worked for 44 years. He started as a laborer and was promoted to mill operator, which he said was a tough job.
He and his wife, Lois, who died in 2017, were married for 71 years. They raised five children — two boys, Michael Bavetz of Florida and Marty Bavetz of Uniontown; and girls Jan Valasek of New Kensington, Joyce Keller of Oakdale and Julie Monzi of Gettysburg.
“This really means a lot to him,” Keller said. “He is so happy here with his buddies. I think he is blown away seeing all these people here for him.”
The restaurant customers joined in to sing “Happy Birthday.”
Bavetz told the waiter to bring him the check because he wanted to pay for the group’s breakfast, but that didn’t happen.
“To have a gentleman like him here in our diner is wonderful,” restaurant owner Lisa Speer said. “To see him talking with his comrades, that is pretty special. We appreciate what his generation has done.
“He is our special guest. We will take care of that check.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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