September 2021 Veteran of the Month
Edgar Frandle was born April 1940 at his grandmother’s home in Blue Earth, Minnesota. His parents rented out the lower level of the house that is still there today. Ed is the oldest of 7 children. He remembers his father being able to fix anything and he took his toolbox everywhere he went. Early on, the Family moved to Austin, MN, were Ed attended Catholic School. At age 12, they moved to Forest Lake, MN, where Ed graduated High School in 1958. Following High School in August, Ed enlisted in the Navy attending Boot Camp in San Diego, CA. In January 1959, he went to Aviation Prep School in Norman, OK, where the Navy tested and selected military personnel for various jobs in the Aviation branch.
From there, Ed went to Lakehurst, NJ, to begin training as an Aerographer’s Mate AG where he learned the basics of Meteorology. After his initial training, his first duty station was Fleet Weather Center/Joint Typhoon Warning Center on Guam. He was stationed there from August 1959 to January 1961. While in Guam, he was promoted to AG3. Ed’s duties included taking weather observations and preparing weather maps. The primary mission of this command was the issuing of Tropical Cyclone warnings for the Western Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
In February 1961, Ed reported to the USS Salisbury Sound AV-13. He was promoted to AG2 and assumed the role of section leader OA Division. During the 18 months on board, the ship was deployed on two WestPac Cruises visiting ports in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Okinawa and the Philippines. In August of 1962, he was transferred to the Naval Air Station in Alameda, CA. Shortly after arriving with Ruth Palmer, his bride of 6 days, he was promoted to AG1 and assumed the duties of Flight Forecaster. By this time, he had acquired 30 credit hours of meteorology training through correspondence courses. Their first son was born in Alameda. Ed’s final duty station was with Commander Patrol Force 7th Fleet. Ed was a member of the Admiral Staff which was responsible for “Operation Market Time” in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. During this tour, he served aboard the USS Pine Island AV-12, USS Currituck AV-7 and again on the USS Salisbury Sound AV-13. Ed was discharged July of 1966 with an AG1 rank. He has been awarded the following Medals: Two Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Four Vietnam Service, Vietnam Unit Citation Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, and the Battle “E” Ribbon.
The Frandle’s moved back home to Forest Lake, MN. Ed enrolled at Control Data Institute and received a certificate in Computer Programming, followed by 12 job offers! Over the next 35 years, he worked for seven different corporations as the head of technology in the role of Chief Information Officer/Vice President. He also developed Compuletter, a computer service bureau, which aided the Direct Mail Industry including clients such a Betty Crocker, Hubert Humphrey, and Billy Graham. During his career, he traveled extensively with responsibilities of technology for companies in Canada, UK, Holland, Japan, France, Germany, Sweden, China, and Australia. Ed has been involved in the acquisition of 48 companies, acquired twice, and one bankruptcy. During his career, he completed his BA and MMA degrees.
Ed completed his career in Austin, TX, in 2002 and the Frandle’s retired to Ormand Beach, FL. He spent the next nine years developing his golf game and traveling. In February 2011, they relocated to Tellico Village. Their son is an attorney in WI, and they have 2 Grandchildren ages 24 and 26.
Ed is an avid reader, past President of the Men’s Golf Association, past board member of the Cruising Club, VFW trustee and former Junior Commander. One of Ed’s personal gratifying experiences, during his career, was his mentoring of many younger managers.
AWE has donated a $25 gift certificate in tribute to Ed being selected Veteran of the Month in gratitude for his years of service.
Comments
September 2021 Veteran of the Month — No Comments
HTML tags allowed in your comment: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>