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George and Garnet Frank live in Columbus, Ohio.
My years as a youth growing up were eventful. I was adopted at the age of 3 days; my biological father had been killed in an accident prior to my mother dying at childbirth. The only parents I knew where wonderful people. My father, a Navy veteran of the Spanish American War (Philippines), was a dentist in Arkansas City, Kansas. My mother worked in his office. He had graduated from University of Maryland, but in 1929 a freak accident cost him part of his left hand—and his career. We lost our home, but there was no self pity. We moved to Kansas City where he was employed by American Red Cross.
My schooling started in rural surroundings—the usual activities in junior high school: baseball, basketball, and band (clarinet and saxophone). I attended a segregated high school, Washington Rural. I lettered in football and track my freshman year. I played in high school and American Legion band. I fell in love three times my sophomore year.
After football season my junior year, I ran away from home and joined the Royal Canadian Artillery in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I have always regretted the heartache I caused my parents—they didn’t know my whereabouts for four months. Homesick—yes. I grew up very quickly in the Canadian service, having lied about my age, but they were taking anybody who could walk.
I will skip the next two years and commence with my leave from the Canadian service, during which I hitchhiked home from Vancouver, British Columbia to Kansas City. I returned from leave late and served a short time at Little Mountain, a tough brig. My last day there was a Sunday—Pearl Harbor Day. When I swore allegiance to the King upon enlistment, I lost my U.S. citizenship. President Roosevelt restored it and the Canadian government released any volunteer who wished to return to the States. I did!
Upon my return home, I was allowed to return to high school. During the summer of 1942 I enlisted in the Coast Guard: basic training at Manhattan Beach, New York, where I met Lt. (jg) Jack Dempsey, Lou Ambers (Lightweight Champion), and several other athletes who had been given rates. Eventually was shipped to Norfolk as a replacement for the crew of LST 791.
A few things I recall I will share with you. I purchased Reed Adams’ Indian
motorcycle and had to sell it in Manila—orders from the Captain. Boatswain’s
Mate 1st Class Dick Schlernitzauer put me in charge of the boatswain and paint
locker. I enjoyed it.
I remember watching “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” the night we heard
the war was over.
Attending these reunions— learning that people thought I stole a jeep only to have Clarence Blair admit it after all these years; having a reporter from The Columbus Dispatch give me an autographed copy of a book written by Ernie Pyle. I had enough points (Canadian time counted) to be one of the first “lucky seven” to depart LST 791.
I returned to Pittsburgh and served a plumbing apprenticeship. I then joined the Coast Guard Reserve with a 1st Class Petty Officer rating, and within 30 days was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict.
No overseas duty this time—only flood duty on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
After discharge, we returned to Pittsburgh, then moved to Columbus. After a couple of years I started my own business. I’m still working and have been active in local and national offices of our trade associations and government commissions.
Two sons are about to the point of causing a change of the locks on the doors. My wonderful wife Garnet and I can’t wait. I left out some of the best parts!