Frank E. Struble of Alliance, Nebraska Jan 13, 1921 – June 13, 1963 Westminster, Orange County, CA.
Disinterment was at Westminster Memorial Park, Westminster- Orange County, CA on April 27th, 2022. Reinternment is at Alliance Veteran’s Cemetery, Alliance, NE. May 20, 2022, 3 PM. Family Memorial Services to be held privately at Alliance Veteran’s Military Cemetery with Pastor Glenn Johnson officiating.
Our brother Frank was born in Ravenna, NE Jan 13, 1921. Frank was the eldest son of Leo L. Struble and Luella Prouty Struble. When Frank was young a child his father who was a Conductor for the Railroad moved Frank’s family to Alliance, Nebraska where Frank attended Grandview Elementary School and Alliance School. In 1939, Frank made a decision to join the US Marines and received Basic Training at Camp Pendleton, CA. Frank served as a Corporal in World War II in the South Pacific from 1939-1946
During the war, Frank would write to his Grandmother, Edna C Struble of Ravenna, about his experience. “Since the first of the year we have been running around the South Pacific and in February we attacked the Japanese in the Marshall Islands. We were in three major battles and although I had a few narrow escapes, nothing serious happened to me”. One of the Battle’s Frank is referring to is The Battle of Guadalcanal 1942-1943 (Operation Watchtower), a major turning point for the Americans in World War II.
Frank returned to Alliance, Nebraska in 1948 where he worked for the Burlington Railroad as a Brakeman from 1948-1953. Legend has it while working one cold night a fellow Railroader found his Lantern sitting on the ground and Frank was nowhere to be found. His Family soon found out Frank made a decision to return to California for the warmer Climate and Culture of the West Coast. Frank married Ethel Zemke of Orange County, CA in 1954 and was recalled as an Instructor for Camp Pendleton, CA during the Korean War. After a lingering illness obtained while in the South Pacific, Frank died on June 13, 1963.
Frank is survived by his sisters Donna Vallejo and Flora Scott of Alliance, NE. and Shirley Todd of Demopolis, AL. He is also survived by many Nieces, Nephews and his Step-Children.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Luella Struble, and his younger siblings Lee Struble and Jerri St. John.
Thank you for your Love of Country and Your Service. Semper Fi .Welcome Home, Frank.