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Joseph Shook (LilJoe), MT1
to remember
Thurtell, Frank, CAPT.
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Contact Info
Last Address Platner
Date of Passing Feb 05, 2000
Location of Interment U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium (VLM) - Annapolis, Maryland
Wall/Plot Coordinates Columbarium 14-5-H
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Captain Frank A. Thurtell, USN (Ret.), died on 5 February at his home in Annapolis, MD, of cardiac arrest.
Frank was born in Bellevue, NE, and enlisted in the Navy immediately after graduating from high school. He was serving in MEDUSA (AR-1) when that ship was attacked during the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He stayed with her through the attack on the Solomons until appointed by the secretary of the Navy to the Naval Academy, and after attending the Naval Academy Prep School, entered with the Class of 1947 in 1943.
Upon graduation in 1946 with the 13th Company, he served first in ST. PAUL (CA-73) and LEYTE (CV-32) before attending Submarine School in New London, CT. Frank married Frances Wade of Annapolis, shortly after graduation. He served in or commanded SEA LION (SSP-315), CONGER (SS-477), COBBLER (SS-344), DARTER (SS-576), THOMAS JEFFERSON (SSBN-618), JOHN C CALHOUN (SSBN-630) and VON STEUBEN (SSBN-632). He served on the Staff of the Commander, Submarine Flotilla Six, in Charleston, and as CO of PROTEUS (AS-19) at Guam, before his final assignment as CinCLant Representative for Joint Strategic Planning at SAC Headquarters in Omaha. He retired from active duty on 1 August 1974.
His civilian career, from 1975 to 1986, was as nuclear power quality control manager for the Omaha Public Power District. Upon retirement from that work, he and Frances moved back to Annapolis, carefully selecting their home to place him close—within walking distance, if necessary—to the Naval Academy golf course. He was a very active member both Naval Academy Golf Association and of Rotary, and a dedicated fan of Navy football.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Frances; a son James, of Dallas, TX; two brothers, Bernard and Dale; two sisters, Florence and Thelma; and two grandchildren.
Memorial services in St. Andrew's Chapel at the Naval Academy preceded the inurnment of his ashes at the USNA Columbarium on 11 February 2000.
Other Memories Captain Frank was always very subdued about his role as a Gunner's Mate on the Medusa when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, but he did admit that he took pride in shooting down one of the attacking Japanese airplanes!
