Frank Wilber was born in Peoria, Illinois back in 1895 to Samuel and Grace. He graduated from Peoria High School. his family has a strong background of service to the United States going back to the Revolutionary War.
In 1912 at 16 years old he was admitted to the United States Naval Academy he graduated in 1916. Assigned to the USS Pittsburgh he left San Francisco arriving in Rio de Janeiro on September 21st. 1916. He was assigned to serve on several ships returning to the U.S. in 1919. During that same year, the U.S. Navy was seeking individuals to their aviation division.
He was one of the first to be approved and was assigned to Class 1 of the Naval training for pilots. In 1926 he was notified that he was selected for promotion to lieutenant commander making him one of the Navy’s youngest squadron commanders. In that same year, he was in an accident falling head first and fracturing his neck. Due to his injury, he was placed on the retired list in 1928.
At the onset of WWII, he made some calls and was called back into service where he worked with the US Naval Reserve with the rank of commander. He flew to Honolulu arriving in 1943. He was assigned to the USS Yorktown. He was involved in several battles including the operation on Kwajalein Atoll, Truk, Saipan, Tinian and more. He was aboard the Essex when it arrived in San Francisco. He retired in 1945 and died in 1947. If you haven’t figured it out by now I’m writing about Frank Wilbur “Spig” Wead. If you like John Wayne you’ll know the movie “The Wings of Eagles”, was based on his service to this country. Sorry this is a little long for what I normally write however, it proves that regardless of your obstacles you can overcome them if you have the desire to do so. Now, get out there and make it a good day.
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