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On a cold wintry day, 5 Jan 1937, <em>Francis Gary Gercz, Jr</em>., was born in Milwaukee, WI. Exactly 31 years to the day later, on a warmer day in Viet Nam, he died.</p>
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Frank grew up in Milwaukee, showing independence and the spirit to get ahead early in his life. He was a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout, and he earned medals in swimming. He served as an altar boy from the age of eight until the time he left for the Academy. At Marquette University High School, he earned letters in football and track.</p>
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In July 1955, Frank entered West Point with the Class of ’59, fulfilling the ambition he had since grade school days at St. Anthony’s Elementary School. Frank continued to enjoy running and ran track at West Point.</p>
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The <em>’59 Howitzer</em> states, "Frank came to us from Milwaukee (a fact he made us all quite aware of) and departed West Point four years later. In these four years, he left an impression of a man who showed the spirit and ability to get ahead—in the choir, on the track, in the section room, or in the field. Wherever he was, there too was wisdom (in the original Greek), humor, in his own unique manner, and a sense of accomplishment."</p>
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His classmates summed up some ofhis many good qualities quite well, and he carried these qualities throughout his career.</p>
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Upon graduation, Frank went to Ranger and Airborne Schools at Ft. Benning, GA. His first assignment after the basic courses was with the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, KY, where he was company commander of Delta Company ofthe 501st Infantry. In February 1960, at Ft. Campbell, he married Jean Ann Brezonik, the girl he had dated since his high school days.</p>
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Frank next went to the Army Language School at Monterey, CA. He studied Persian and, later, he added Arabic and German to his knowledge of French and some Polish. He was quite adept at learning different languages.</p>
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After leaving The Language School, he went to Ft. Bragg, NC, and from there, went to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at BadTolz, Germany, where he spent three years with the "Green Berets." The Advanced Course at Ft. Benning was next for Frank, and then, on 23 Jun 1967, he left for Viet Nam and service with the 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red One." While there, he was promoted to major.</p>
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In November 1967, Frank was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division, and put in charge of civil affairs and psychological warfare at Lai Khe, Viet Nam. Frank was killed during a mortar attack, as he ate in a mess hall at Lai Khe. It was his 31st birthday.</p>
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During his service in Viet Nam, Frank earned the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars for Valor, an Air Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Army Commendation Medal. He also received the National Order of Viet Nam, 5th Class, from the Republic of Viet Nam.</p>
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Frank had many interests and hobbies, including photography and building furniture. His prime interest, however, was his family. He enjoyed spending time with his three children and was immensely proud of them. His wife Jean; son Francis Gary II; two daughters, Christina Jean and Jennifer Ann; and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis P. Gercz, survived Frank.</p>
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Frank left a legacy to his family and friends of a job well done. Our Lord took him home on the same day he had given him to the world, 31 years earlier.</p>
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The above article was started 30 years ago but never finished. I now want to finish what I couldn’t do then and give Frank the memorial he deserves.</p>
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Frank’s parents are now deceased, but Frank’s family has grown. Our three children are married, and we now have two grandsons and four granddaughters. Our son Frank married Pam, and they have two children—Matthew and Zara. Our daughter Christina married Andrew Baumann, and they have one daughter, Sarah. Our daughter Jennifer married Stephen Kuehn, and they have three children—Katie, Tyler, and Emily.</p>
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Frank would be so proud of all of them. They were so very proud of him when they attended a Ranger Memorial Ceremony at Ft. Benning, GA, in October 2000, honoring him and his fellow West Point classmates also killed in Viet Nam.</p>
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<em>Jean Ann (Gercz) Erschnig</em></p>