World War II Veteran and Former MDW Leader Celebrates 100 Years of Service
Guest Contributor
Reaching the age of 100 is a rare and remarkable milestone. It’s even more extraordinary when that century of life has been defined by resilience, service, and historical significance. Such is the story of retired U.S. Army Col. Frank Cohn, a World War II veteran and former leader of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW). His life, shaped by survival, duty, and leadership, offers a powerful reflection on the enduring values of integrity and perseverance. Cohn’s journey—from fleeing Nazi Germany to serving in two wars and ultimately retiring after 35 years in the U.S. Army—embodies a legacy of military service and personal fortitude.
Born in 1925 in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), Cohn grew up in a Jewish family during the rise of Adolf Hitler. His early childhood was marked by a swift and terrifying transformation of his homeland. In his autobiography, Cohn recounts how his beloved second grade teacher returned the following year wearing a Nazi uniform, an event that signaled the changing tides in his community. The persecution was personal and immediate—neighbors were killed, family members were targeted, and fear became a constant companion. I found this detail striking: Cohn’s uncle was murdered in the streets of Chemnitz simply for being identified as Jewish.
When Cohn was just 13, his father fled to the United States in search of a way to bring the family to safety. Shortly after, Gestapo agents came to their home, prompting Cohn and his mother to make a decisive and dangerous escape. With the help of a bribed clerk and a visitor visa, they made their way to New York City, reuniting with his father in October 1938—just days before Kristallnacht, the violent pogrom that foreshadowed the Holocaust. For Cohn, these formative years instilled a deep awareness of the fragility of freedom and the importance of standing against oppression.
At age 18, Cohn was drafted into the U.S. Army before he had even become a citizen. He gained his citizenship during basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. “Now I officially had a new country, I was a U.S. citizen!” he wrote, reflecting on the pride he felt in that moment. Soon after, he returned to Germany—not as a refugee, but as a U.S. soldier. Fluent in German, he served in military intelligence, interrogating Nazi prisoners and identifying enemy infiltrators. His return to Germany under these new circumstances marked a profound transformation. “I was now no longer a victim,” he said.
After World War II, Cohn continued his education, earning a degree in psychology and education. He then rejoined the Army as a commissioned officer, eventually choosing the military police branch. His career took him around the world, including a tour in Vietnam in 1969. Along the way, he investigated crimes ranging from identity fraud to bank robbery, demonstrating both adaptability and commitment to justice. His final years of service were spent at the MDW, where he served as provost marshal, assistant chief of staff for police, security and intelligence, and ultimately as chief of staff.
One of the highlights of his MDW tenure was overseeing security for the 48th Presidential Inauguration. Coordinating with the U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement, Cohn ensured a seamless event—even when President Jimmy Carter unexpectedly exited his vehicle to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. “Every security element held their breath,” Cohn recalled, but everything went according to plan.
In 1978, after more than three decades of service, Cohn retired with the rank of colonel. Yet his influence did not end with his retirement. His legacy continues to resonate throughout the MDW and military police communities. Col. Mark Danner, current provost marshal of the MDW, emphasized the historical significance of Cohn’s life. “A 100-year-old veteran represents a direct link to a century of change, conflict and progress,” Danner noted. He described Cohn’s career as foundational to the work that continues today, particularly in the mission of defending the National Capital Region.
On August 2, 2025, Cohn celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family, friends, and members of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the MDW. Danner presented him with a U.S. flag and certificate on behalf of the command, honoring a life of exceptional service. “Veterans embody the values we strive to uphold as an institution,” Danner said. “Their sacrifices, their experiences and their perspectives are invaluable resources.”
Reflecting on his own life, Cohn credited his parents for instilling the values that guided him through war and leadership. “Mentally, the ideas taught to you by your parents stay with you for life,” he said. “To do the proper and right thing, to be honest and faithful—your character does not change.”
Frank Cohn’s story is one of survival, transformation, and steadfast service. From escaping the horrors of Nazi Germany to shaping military operations in the United States, his century of life offers lessons in courage, adaptability, and enduring commitment to a greater cause. His journey reminds us that even in the face of profound adversity, integrity and purpose can light the way forward.
