More detail on this person: Frank Charles Orifici, US Army Warrant Officer, USA; Flight Class 67-11; CW2; RVN 1967-1968 121st AHC, Soc Trang and 7th of the 1st Cav at Duc Hoa. Frank flew slicks with the Soc Trang Tigers, light ship with the Soc Trang Vikings, and Scouts with the Cav. Call signs were Tiger, Viking Surprise, and Dutchmaster. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during his Vietnam service for his courage and ability as an aircraft commander. Frank C. Orifici joined the Kingdom of God on Thursday, September 9, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife and life partner, Barbara (Babs) Orifici, sister, Delores Radford, four children, their spouses, and nine grandchildren. He was born in 1945 in Batesville, Indiana and grew up in Florida and California. He enlisted in the Army after high school and trained to be an Army aviator. After serving in Vietnam he was an instructor pilot at Fort Wolters, Texas where he met his wife, Barbara (Babs) Brown Orifici. After his military service, Frank was a salesman for Schenley Industries and later retired as the Deputy Director of the Maryland Department of Liquor Control. He was a member of Saint John the Baptist parish in Silver Spring , Maryland and a lifelong Catholic. He was known for his gregarious, outgoing personality, and hospitality. His wife and family were most important to Frank. His friends will remember his sense of humor, enthusiasm for life, and the courage with which he served his country in Vietnam.
This information was last updated 02/06/2023
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association