Warren Andrew Frank – Captain, United States Marine Corps

U.S. Department of Defense

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 986-08
November 26, 2008

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Captain Warren A. Frank, 26, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died November 25 while supporting combat operations in Ninewa province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liasion Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.


28 October 2008:

An Anderson Township, Ohio, Marine who died in Iraq this week was killed during a humanitarian mission, his family said.

Captain Warren A. Frank, 26, died Tuesday while participating in a food distribution mission north of Baghdad.

His team came under small arms fire by an attacker in an Iraqi soldier’s uniform.

It was not known if the outfit was a disguise or if the Marine was slain by an Iraqi soldier. Many members of the Iraqi military have been trained by U.S. troops.

Also killed in the attack was a U.S. soldier (Master Sergeant Anthony Davis). Several service members were injured.

“Our son wanted nothing more than to make a difference in our world,” said Frank’s father, Warren R. Frank, in a statement sent to the media. “He was not a movie version soldier, but a man who looked forward to loving his children.”

If Frank was killed by an Iraqi soldier, it would be at least the second time since the 2002 U.S. invasion that a Greater Cincinnati Marine has been killed by a member of Iraq’s military.

Corporal Bryan Taylor was killed in April 2006, just weeks after arriving in Iraq. His unit had been living with the then-fledgling Iraqi Army.

Taylor was refueling his Humvee when he was shot.

All told, more than 4,200 U.S. service members have lost their lives in the war.

Frank grew up in Anderson Township.

He is survived by his wife, Allison, and daughters Sophia Lynn and Isabella Grace. They live in Okinawa, Japan, with their mother, where Frank’s unit was based. Locally he leaves behind his father, his mother, Rebecca, and his sister Sara. Frank is a 2000 graduate of Turpin High School and a 2004 graduate of the Citadel.

The written statement from the family suggested that Frank had done at least three tours in Iraq. It also said that he looked forward to retiring from the service and planned to teach high school history and coach track.

“Our deep sorrow is not in the life we had with him, but in the loss of life we always thought we would share,” wrote Frank’s father.

“He was our son, our brother, devoted husband and an enthusiastic father. He is our reminder that all generations have those who comprise ‘The Greatest Generation.’”

Funeral arrangements are pending, though the elder Frank said it is likely his son will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.


28 November 2008:

Captain Warren A. Frank of the U.S. Marine Corps died in Iraq on Tuesday, November 25, 2008.

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His mother's neighbor said Frank's service there made him an “instant hero.”

“Going back for his second tour of duty I think is above and beyond the call of duty. Which makes him a hero in my eyes,” said Roy Wergers of Maineville.

Frank, 26, was assigned to the Fifth Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and was a member of the Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa Japan.

Arrangements for Captain Frank haven't been announced.

Frank's father has issued the follow statement regarding his son.

“Captain Warren A. Frank was a Cincinnati native, raised in Anderson Township. He is survived by his wife Allison and two young daughters, Sophia Lynn and Isabelle Grace living in Okinawa and his mother, Rebecca, sister, Sara and father, Warren all still residing in the Cincinnati area.

“Captain Frank was a 2000 graduate of Turpin High and a 2004 graduate of The Citadel. Upon his graduation from The Citadel, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant at Quantico, Virginia, and subsequently assigned to the Third Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California. While serving with the 3/1, Captain Frank spent two tours of duty as a rifle platoon leader in Iraq operating in Al Anbar province.

“Captain Frank’s commitment to guarding his family and the Country factored in his decision this earlier this year to accept a posting in Okinawa with the 5th Anglico, 3rd MEF in lieu of a stateside “B” billet.

“On November 25, 2008, Captain Frank was conducting a humanitarian assistance/food distribution mission to Biaj located outside Mosul when his team encountered enemy small arms fire. Details are still incomplete on the incident, but initial reports indicate at least one of the attackers was dressed as an Iraqi soldier. Several other members of the team were wounded and at least one additional soldier was killed in the action.

“Our Son wanted nothing more than to make a difference in our world. He was not a movie version soldier, but a man who looked forward to loving his children, retiring from the service of his Country, teaching history at a high school and coaching track. Our deep sorrow is not in the life we had with him, but in the loss of the life we always thought we would share. He was our Son, our brother, devoted husband and an enthusiastic father. He is our reminder that all generations have those who comprise the “the Greatest Generation.”

“Final arrangements are incomplete at this time, but it is most likely Captain Frank will be interned at the Arlington National Cemetery.

“Those wishing to make a donation in Warren’s honor are asked to consider the following organizations that he supported: Wounded-Warriors, Boots-to-Books or Toys-for-Tots.”

Respectfully, Warren R. Frank


Class of 2004 grad killed in action
11 December 2008

Marine Captain Warren A. Frank, Citadel Class of 2004, was killed in action while distributing humanitarian aid in the Ninewa province of Iraq November 25, 2008.

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A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Frank, 26, was assigned to the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liasion Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

At The Citadel, he majored in political science and was a member of Bravo Company.  As a Junior he was the First Battalion Supply Sergeant and as a Senior he was Charlie Company Commander.

“He was a very mature cadet,” said Major Greg Speaker, a TAC officer.  “He never came to me with a problem that he did not have a possible solution to.  He was immensely respected by his classmates.  This is a real loss.”

Frank is survived by his wife Allison and two young daughters, Sophia Lynn and Isabelle Grace, who live in Okinawa.  He is also survived by his parents, Warren and Rebecca Frank and a sister, Sara, who reside in the Cincinnati area. He is the grandson of Warren S. and Pauline C. Frank of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Mr.and Mrs. James A. Hutzel, Maineville, Ohio.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. January 8, 2009, at Murphy’s Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia.

Frank will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. on January 9, 2009 at the Fort Myer Post Chapel. Those attending should plan to arrive half an hour before the start of the service.  A reception is planned afterward at Fort Myer Officer's Club.


15 December 2008:

Marine Captain Warren A. Frank will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery Friday, January 9, 2009.

Frank, a 2004 graduate of the Citadel, was killed in action while distributing humanitarian aid in the Ninewa province of Iraq November 25, 2008.

The Turpin High School graduate was assigned to the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Co., III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan.

At the Citadel, Frank majored in political science and was a member of Bravo Company.

He was a Battalion Supply Sergeant as a Junior and a Charlie Company Commander as a Senior, the release said.

There will be a viewing from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, January 8, 2009, at Murphy's Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., in Arlington, Virginia.

Captain Frank will be buried with full military honors at 11 a.m., Friday, January 9, 2009, at the Fort Myer Post Chapel in Arlington National Cemetery.

A reception is planned after the ceremony at Fort Myer Officer's Club.

Frank is survived by his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Sophia Lynn and Isabelle Grace, who live in Okinawa; his parents, Warren and Rebecca Frank, and his sister, Sara, who live in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as by his grandparents, Warren S. and Pauline C. Frank of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Mr.and Mrs. James A. Hutzel, Maineville, Ohio.


9 January 2009:

U.S. Marine Corps Captain Warren A. Frank of Anderson Township was buried Friday under blue skies at Arlington National Cemetery, the nation's resting ground for fallen members of the armed forces.

His widow, Allison; mother, Rebecca; sister, Sara, and father, Warren, walked behind a caisson pulled by six horses that carried his flag-draped casket to the gravesite.

“Our son wanted nothing more than to make a difference in our world. He was not a movie-version soldier, but a man who looked forward to loving his children, retiring from the service of his country, teaching history at a high school and coaching track,” his father said in a statement.

A military band marched alongside the family, a drummer beating a steady cadence as an American flag rippled in the chilly breeze. A line of cars snaked behind them, following the narrow road through the cemetery dotted with thousands of white marble headstones.

Frank, 26, was killed in Iraq November 25, 2008, while conducting a humanitarian assistance and food distribution mission outside Mosul north of Baghdad.

His team encountered small arms fire and initial reports said at least one of his attackers wore an Iraqi soldier's uniform. Several other members of his team were wounded and at least one other soldier was killed in action.

Frank was a 2000 graduate of Turpin High School and 2004 graduate of The Citadel.

He was given a full honors funeral, which began as a band played the Marine's Hymn and six uniformed Marines carried his casket to the gravesite.

Frank's two young daughters, Sophia Lynn and Isabelle Grace, clung to their mother and another family member as the ceremony started.

It took place in Section 60, where more than 450 service members killed in Iraq have already been buried. Across the Potomac River, the Washington Monument and dome of the U.S. Capitol were visible through the leafless trees.

“Mighty God, we are gathered … ” said the chaplain in a hushed voice as planes from the nearby airport drowned out his voice.

After the prayer, seven riflemen fired three volleys and a bugler played taps.

The flag covering the casket was folded and presented to Allison Frank. Two more flags were then presented to Frank's father and mother as the band played.

The service ended as a lone bagpiper played “Amazing Grace.”


Mourning a Fallen Marine's Lost Future
Cincinnati Native Killed in Iraq Wanted ‘to Make a Difference in Our World'
By Mark Berman
Courtesy of The Washington Post
Saturday, January 10, 2009

Captain Warren A. Frank had served nearly three tours in Iraq. He was a Marine, but he was also a husband and a father who looked forward to retiring from the service, teaching high school history and coaching track.

Those dreams and ambitions were dashed when Frank, 26, was killed November 25, 2008, while supporting combat operations in Ninewa province, Iraq, the Department of Defense reported.

According to a statement released by his father, Warren R. Frank, his son was killed while conducting a humanitarian food drop when his team encountered enemy small arms fire, and at least one of the attackers might have been dressed as an Iraqi soldier.

The same attack killed Master Sergeant Anthony Davis, a Triangle resident who was buried at Arlington National Cemetery last month.

In the statement issued shortly after the Marine's death, Frank's father described him as a son, brother, “devoted husband and an enthusiastic father.”

The younger Frank was a Cincinnati native raised in Anderson Township, just north of the Ohio River to the east of downtown Cincinnati. In 2004, he graduated from the Citadel, the military college in South Carolina, where he majored in political science; as an upperclassman he was a supply sergeant and then a company commander, according to the school.

Yesterday, hundreds of Frank's relatives and friends emerged from a parade of dozens of cars stretched back along York Drive at Arlington National Cemetery. Huddled in coats, scarves and gloves against a cold breeze, the mourners followed a horse-drawn caisson carrying Frank's wooden coffin to Section 60 of the cemetery.

More than a dozen wreaths and floral arrangements were set up for display behind the grave, the green leaves festooned with red, white and blue. After a chaplain spoke, the family stood and looked toward seven riflemen firing off three shots apiece; the gathered mourners turned and faced the bright sun before it was again obscured by a cloud. The shells from those shots were presented to family members later in the service.

Frank's wife, Allison Frank, received a folded flag. His father and his mother, Rebecca Frank, each received a flag as well.

Frank had two young daughters, Sophia Lynn and Isabelle Grace. Sophia sat in the front row during the service, idly playing with one of the red roses that had been laid on the seats for the family members.

According to his father's statement, Frank had already served two tours in Iraq as a rifle platoon leader and was in the midst of his third when he was killed.

“Our son wanted nothing more than to make a difference in our world,” the statement said. “He was not a movie version soldier, but a man who looked forward to loving his children, retiring from the service of his Country, teaching history at a high school and coaching track.

“Our deep sorrow is not in the life we had with him, but in the loss of the life we always thought we would share,” he said.

Frank was assigned to the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan. He was the 452nd service member killed in Iraq to be honored at Arlington.

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A Marine casket team escorts the casket of U.S. Marine Captain Warren Andrew Frank,
during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery

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The funeral procession for Marine Captain Warren A. Frank, who was 26, makes its way to
the grave site in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery

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A Marine Corps Firing Party Fires A Rifle Salute In Honor of Captain Warren A. Frank At Arlington National Cemetery

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Allison Frank, widow of Warren A. Frank (above), is presented a U.S. flag by Marine Captain Patrick
Lavoie during funeral services Friday for her husband. Her father-in-law, Warren, is next to her

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Allison Frank, widow of Warren A. Frank, left, and his parents, Rebecca and Warren R. Frank,
receive condolences from chaplain Philip Park

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FRANK, WARREN ANDREW

  • CAPT   US MARINE CORPS
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 03/04/1982
  • DATE OF DEATH: 11/25/2008
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 8745
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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