More detail on this person: Frank Paul Joseph Frank Paul Joseph was born on December 31, 1927 in Fenton, LA from the union of the late Percy and Albertha Joseph. He was the youngest of six children, all of whom preceded him death: Wilford Trahan, Luella Ann and husband Joseph Reynaud, Della and husband Morris Pipkins, Jimmie and wife Shirley Joseph, Lola Bell and husband John Hillmon. After completing his required education in Fenton, LA, Frank received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound. Frank was drafted into in the United States Army where he faithfully served for 26 years. In 1952, he met and married, Florence Gradney of Lake Charles, LA. They were married for 52 years and have two beautiful children. Frank had a very successful military career. He received his Flight Certificate in October, 1957 as a Chief Warrant Officer. Frank was awarded many Distinguished Service Medals: The National Defense Service Medal 91st Oak Leaf Cluster, Military Unit Citation, Air Medals with 27 Oak Leaf Clusters, The Senior Army Aviator Badge, The Army Commendation Medal, The Presidential Service Badge with Certificate and Letter, The Korean Service Medal, World War II Victorious Medal, Bronze Star Medals with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Legion of Merit Medal and numerous others that are not mentioned. Frank was one of two African American helicopter pilots in the White House Executive Flight Detachment at Fort Belvoir, VA. This detachment was responsible for flying presidents of the United States, one of whom he personally transported; President Richard M. Nixon. Frank was essential in the initiation, formation and teaching of Instrument Flight Training. He was also a member of the elite Tuskegee Airman and the US Army Black Aviators Association. In his military career, he and his family traveled to many areas of the United States as well as overseas. Frank did tours of duty overseas in Japan, Korea, Germany, France and Vietnam. Frank was a strong, noble, caring and hardworking man with a tremendous love for his immediate and extended family. He had an endless love for the outdoors and a tremendous passion for flying helicopters. When he retired from the Army, he joined a helicopter company doing helicopter logging and spraying timber. His love for nature's surroundings prompted him to open and operate a Sportsman Fishing Lodge at Dogfish Bay, Alaska. He dearly cherished overseeing the daily business operations and his customers who came to fish at the lodge. Frank, after putting up a gallant fight, against Multiple Myeloma Cancer, went to his final rest on Monday, February 28, 2005 at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, WA. He is survived by his loving wife Florence Interment at New Tacoma Cemetery.
Burial information: New Tacoma Cemetery, University Place, WA
This information was last updated 01/14/2019
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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