Farewell to Frank Norvish

Yesterday I assumed the role of president of the Military Intelligence Association of New England (MIANE) and took over the gavel from outgoing president Henry Bagley of Melrose,Ma. Jim Ryan, our chaplain who comes from Springfield was unable to attend yesterday so I had to do double duty and do the invocation as well. Part of the invocation was a tribute to Frank Norvish, a former president of MIANE who passed away at the age of 98. Frank served as a Counterintelligence Corps(CIC) Special Agent in World War II from 1943 to 1945 in the European Theater of Operations. He landed at Utah Beach on D Day (June 6,1944) and was awarded the Bronze Star. He received orders to join General Charles DeGaulle's entourage for the liberation of Paris and in the two weeks following that event he assisted the Free French in apprehending more than 40 collaborators, saboteurs, defectors, and infiltrators. Frank was attached to units commanded by General "Lightning Joe" Collins of the VII Corps. He was also involved in the infamous "Battle of the Bulge". Like so many agents who distnguished themselves for their country over the years, Frank was proficient in several languages.
All of this by itself would have made Frank Norvish one of CIC's most outstanding heroes of World War II. However, what Frank was most proud of occurred as the war was drawing to a close. Both the allied forces and the Russians were interested in locating the German rocket and nuclear scientists and the race was on to find them. Frank was very proud of the fact that he was able to locate six of these important scientists along with their notes and send them back to London on the next plane available.
In civilian life Frank went on to a distinguished career as a professor of English at Northeastern University. He was also a past president of MIANE and vice president of the National Counterintelligence Association. He also served on its Board of Directors.
We will all remember Franklin Norvish in our prayers....a very special American...a very special man.