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<p><em>Frank Joseph Schap Jr.</em> was born in Baltimore, MD on October 24, 1941, the son of Frank J. Schap, an attorney and judge in Baltimore, and Jean Nowak Schap, whose family emigrated from Poland in 1906. Frank attended St. Elizabeth’s Elementary School, where he served as an altar boy and was active in sports, notably Little League baseball. Tagging out an opponent at first base led to cheers in the crowd and numerous wins for his team! He played a wicked game of tennis, was skillful at croquet and badminton, and could create a storm on the dance floor! Great family memories!</p>
<p>Frank graduated from Loyola High School, where his name is now engraved on the Ignatius Loyola statue honoring alumni who have died in service to our country. Following graduation, Frank enlisted in the Army and earned the Expert Infantryman Badge of which he was most proud. Due to his accomplishments, he was selected from the Regular Army to attend West Point and faced some hazing as a plebe for wearing that “Blue Badge,” which was quite an honor in Frank’s eyes! Every classmate from ’66, and even those who barely knew him, remembers Frank because of his EIB proudly worn on every uniform except full dress gray. In the Class of 1966 only two classmates wore the EIB, and neither will ever be forgotten.</p>
<p>Frank brought an energetic and good-natured personality to West Point. He could start a conversation with anyone, and, if he didn’t have a racket in his hand, he could be found at the Hostess Office, Grant Hall, or the Weapons Room. He and other former soldiers were easy to spot because of their initial head start on “looking like a soldier.” Many a plebe classmate sought his advice. He was on the Army Squash Team and Hop Committee for four years, a Catholic acolyte and in the Spanish Club for three years and Tennis Team for two. Classmate Randy Loftin, a fellow squash player, said, “Frank and I battled it out all four years for a spot on the team.” Team captain Hank Langendorf recalls, “He was left handed and under 5 feet 10 inches tall and was a fierce competitor who never quit.” Being older than many of his classmates, combined with his military experience and bearing, set him apart from his younger classmates recalls Bob Kesmodel. “We were both from the Baltimore area but because Frank joined the military after high school, we never crossed paths until West Point. As soon as I heard Frank pronounce Baltimore when we met, I knew he had distanced himself from the typical Baltimore accent.”</p>
<p>Frank chose the Infantry branch and volunteered for Vietnam. Following Airborne and Ranger schools and six months with troops in the United States, he deployed in June 1967 to Vietnam and the 173d Airborne Brigade, initially as rifle platoon leader in C Company, 1-503d Infantry Regiment through late August 1967, when he was assigned as leader of the battalion’s 4.2-inch mortar platoon. While in Vietnam, Frank looked forward to receiving and writing letters to folks from Baltimore and across the country, especially at Fort Worth, TX, which adopted his company, sending an endless flow of encouraging, heart-warming letters to boost morale for the troops. Frank wrote several letters to the editor, thanking everyone for their support and promising to stop by Fort Worth on his way home. Unfortunately, that promise couldn’t be kept. </p>
<p>In early January 1968, after an R&R in Australia, which he totally enjoyed, Frank returned to C Company as rifle platoon leader, serving in that unit until his death on February 14, 1968, when he was KIA from gunshot wounds after rushing to rescue two soldiers on a listening post who were wounded at Ban Me Thuot, Darlac Province. His radio operator, David Einspanjer, posted on the Vietnam Veterans Virtual Wall: “I was his radio operator. He was more than an officer. He was my friend. I was there when he died. He saved my life, and this is something I will never forget.” </p>
<p>The “Some Gave All” statue by James N. Muir in the West Point Cemetery honors members of the classes of the 1960s who lost their lives in Vietnam. The inscription reads as follows: </p>
<p>“If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save a backward glance when you are leaving, for places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own, and in that time when men decide and feel safe to call war insane, take a moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.” </p>
<p>Like many of his classmates, Frank died a hero whose bravery and service should never be forgotten. All of us who knew Frank were saddened by his early death. We think of him often and thank him for his friendship and service to our country. Be Thou at Peace, Frank. We miss you!</p>
<p>Frank is survived by his two sisters, Barbara Huber and Alice Bonner. </p>
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