Frank was born Jan.12th 1930 in Philadelphia, PA.. He joined the Corps in 1948 and took his boot training at Parris Island. After boot camp he was sent to Camp Lejeune, N.C. and into the 8th Marines Anti-tank Platoon. Later he was transferred to the 6th Marines. "G" Co., 3rd Bn. 2nd Div. and was sent to the Mediterranean on the Cruiser...USS Salem.
While aboard this ship he and some sailors got together and formed a country band. The group would entertain in happy hours and occasionally at USO's in different ports ashore.

When the Korean War broke out he had to trade his guitar for a Browning BAR and soon was transferred. He was headed for Inchon Landing and was told that he now belonged to the 3rd Bn. 1st Div. Frank was serving with the 1st Marine Division in 1950, when the United Nation's joint military effort forced the with drawl of the North Korean Forces who had invaded South Korea with the intent of capturing it. The 1st Marine Division was holding the Chosin Reservoir area when about 70,000 screaming Communist Chinese Forces (CCF) came across the border into North Korea. The Chinese attacked relentlessly by the hundreds, trying to overrun the 30,000 U.N. forces ahead of them. The 1st Marines, under the command of Major General Oliver Smith, held their ground as long as they could, until at last, to quote Major General Smith : "Retreat, hell! We're attacking in a different direction!".  And the word was given to with drawl to the southern port of Hungnam about 65 miles away. They spent about thirteen days fighting their way south, while all  along the way the Chinese attack, and the weather fell below -40 with blowing snow. Many suffered from frost bite, about 7,500 cold related injuries, a plague that haunts them today, and wounds received from the Chinese onslaught. Frank was one of many evacuated at Hagaru due to serious frost bite and concussion injuries.

Ending up in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital he wrote one of his first ballads, "Frozen Chosin Blues", while recovering in the ward with many others. He was later separated from the Marine Corps on October 31, 1951. While working for Sears during his twenty years with them, he moonlighted his spare time in Country music. Later he worked for the Postal Service for another 21 years, while being a songwriter and writing poetry. Since that time he has written many ballads about the frozen Chosin battle, including finishing "The Diamond In The Sky" ballad started by then Lieutenant Paul Sanders (later retired as a Major), a tank commander who wrote the first four verses. Bob Hope has honored Frank by placing the "Ballad of Chosin" in his personal museum; and the Her Majesty's Royal Maine Band introduced and to this day performs his "Band of Brothers" March.

Frank's music can be heard on this site in the pre-view section and you can also purchase a CD. You can also contact Frank at his home address: 701 Dawn St., Beaufort, SC 29906.