(LaPorte, IN) - A LaPorte man was credited with saving lives during World War II.

 

Now, Forrest Bline is without his bronze military issued grave marker and whoever took it is asked to give it back.

 

The appeal was made by Robert Bline, who discovered the marker and slab of concrete it was mounted to missing from the foot of his father’s grave at Patton Cemetery on August 7.

 

“It’s such a dishonor and surely these people have family members who have served. They’re dishonoring all veterans when they’re taking this,” Bline said.

 

Bline said the marker listing his father’s rank as corporal and other details about his military service was there when he visited the grave on Memorial Day.          

 

He believes more than one person carried out the heist considering the plaque and concrete slab weighed roughly 50 pounds.

 

There are no suspects.

 

LaPorte Police Chief of Detectives Jim Ferguson said patrol officers have been asked to keep a sharper eye on the cemetery to discourage marker thefts from the graves of other veterans.

 

Bline said his father landed on the shores of Normandy in 1944 and earned five major battle stars including one for saving lives by helping to stop a counter attack.

 

He died in 1979.

 

Bline would like his father’s grave marker returned.

 

Suspecting it’s been sold for scrap, though, he’s already trying to get a new one to replace it.

“It’s devastating.  My father was a gentle spirit.  The first thing I think is why him,” he said.