Frank Placko – Lieutenant Colonel, Uhntied States Army

I snapped a photo of a grave that I thought was interesting at Arlington National Cemetery when I went to put flowers on my mothers grave.  I did not see him listed on your web site.  Please feel free to use it on your web site if you think it maybe of interest. He is buried Section 54 Site 2620.


Lieutenant Colonel Frank Placko, 86, passed away on April 5, 2004. He was born in Ino, Wisconsin on June 28, 1917.

Colonel Placko served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps for 22 years and retired from military service in 1960. During World War II he served in the Philippines, was wounded on Corregidor and was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. After the fall of Bataan-Corregidor, he was held as a Japanese POW for 3 1/2 years. Military awards include the Purple Heart and the Philippine Unit Citation.

Colonel Placko believed strongly in education and earned Master’s Degrees in Russian language, Education & Guidance Counseling. He was fluent in four languages. After military service he worked for 20 years as a high school teacher and guidance counselor for the Virginia school system.

His son, William John Placko, precedes him in death. Surviving family are his wife of 59 years, Joan; son, Peter, wife, Ellen; daughters, Carol Chilson, husband, John; Janet Valliere, husband, David; Kathryn Allard, husband, Guy; 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. His children remember their father as a quiet hero, who raised them to love and respect their country and the freedom under which they have the privilege of living. A family memorial service will be held at the McGuire VAMC in Richmond, Virginia with Msgr. Walter Barrett officiating.

The funeral service, with full military honors, will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at 3:00Pm on May 26, 2004.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in memory of Frank Placko and William John Placko to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Virginia Chapter, 5511 Staples Mill Road, Suite 105, Richmond, VA 23228.

frank-placko-gravesite-photo-may-2006-001

PLACKO, FRANK
LT COL   US ARMY
WORLD WAR II, KOREA

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 06/28/1917
  • DATE OF DEATH: 04/05/2004
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 54  SITE 2620
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Read our general and most popular articles

Leave a Comment