Captain Warren A. Frank of the U.S. Marine Corps died in Iraq on Tuesday, November 25.
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.
Capt. 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.
Capt. 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 2nd Lieutenant at Quantico, VA and subsequently assigned to the Third Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA. While serving with the 3/1, Capt. Frank spent two tours of duty as a rifle platoon leader in Iraq operating in Al Anbar province.
Capt. 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 11/25/08, Capt. 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 Capt. 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
