Mr. Frank M. Arnall IIICullum: 25808 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: M1 Date of Birth: March 25, 1943 Date of Death: November 6, 2021 Died in: Oviedo, FL Interred: TBD - View or Post a Eulogy |
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Frank Marion Arnall III was born in
Cuthbert, GA on March 25, 1943 to Frank Marion Arnall II and Patsy
Arnall of Newnan, GA. Frank returned to the Lord on November 6, 2021.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Arnall; his daughters, Susan Arnall
Dickson and Ouida Arnall Foster; his son, Franklin Douglas Arnall; and
his brother, Joseph H. Arnall. In addition to immediate family, Frank
is also survived by five grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Frank’s creative route into West Point defined his character, initiative, and positive personality. And it makes everyone smile when they know his story. He was an out-of-the-box thinker and had an uncanny sense of what he should do in any situation. One morning during his senior year of high school, Frank read that his congressman would be visiting the local general store. He put on a tie, skipped school, and resolved to meet him and seek an appointment to West Point. They shared stories on the general store’s front porch, and Frank answered questions. By the day’s end, Frank had secured his appointment.
Frank effectively applied his West Point leadership training throughout his life as a father, employer, teacher, church leader, and business leader. What he valued most from his time at West Point was the treasure of lifelong friendships, camaraderie, and shared experiences with his fellow cadets.
Yearling roommate Mike Lapolla recalls: “West Point was a tough place, and we were all teenagers. What did we know about coping with stress? Good roommates were uplifting, supportive and important. Frank was gold. When the going was tough, you could always count on Frank to calmly find that pony in the manure pile. That was his gift: he used to help all of us cope. To me, that is Frank’s West Point legacy.”
Roommate Paul Kantrowich remembers: “Frank was cut from that special cloth that enabled him to be a righteous, thoughtful, and kind human being. He was the most unselfish person I had ever met. His kindness and concern for others was always genuine and sincere. If anyone is with God right now, Frank surely is. He was a prince among men, and I owe him a lot.”
Upon graduation, Frank completed the Army’s Airborne and Ranger schools. He participated in the Dominican Civil War as a Jumpmaster in the 82nd Airborne, as a lieutenant in the First Air Cavalry during his first Vietnam tour, and as a captain in the 24th Division during his second. His combat decorations include two Bronze Stars, an Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.
Frank spoke often of his memorable first days in Vietnam. After landing in country, he always fondly recalled that one of the first people he met was his ex-roommate and friend, Mike Lapolla.
He was soon instructed to assemble his field kit and report directly to an infantry unit in the field. Frank recalled: “I was told to choose my kit from discarded rifles, canteens, and belts that were thrown in a heap outside the medical tents. This was not how I expected to receive my first weapon, something I would spend every minute with for the next 18 months. Then I thought about this gear having a lot more field experience than me. I chose my rifle from a pile knowing it must have come from a fallen soldier and asking him mentally to pass on his experience with his weapon.” Later on that first day, Frank joined the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), where he was immediately assigned to escort an enemy prisoner and later rappelled into a firefight to join his platoon.
Frank’s platoon chose the name “Hard Core” and left their black knight chess pieces wherever they went. In one day, his men captured 90 of the enemy without a loss of life on either side. Frank’s proudest memory was when his two sergeants voluntarily stayed two weeks after their release date because they would not leave him with all-new replacements and no one to help train. Frank never lost a soldier who was following his orders.
Before leaving for Vietnam, Frank asked his mom to find a “brown-eyed Susan” like his brother Joe’s girlfriend. A few months later he received a picture of a “jade-eyed Susan” from his mother. He started a seven-month correspondence with his Susan, and they came to know each other well through their many letters. That began a lifetime of never-ending romance. When they met in person on September 22, 1967, they became engaged six days later and married on December 28, 1967. They enjoyed 54 years together.
Frank gave back to his community through church and civic service. He served on the vestries of the Church of Our Savior (Mandarin, FL) and Holy Cross (Sanford, FL), as well as on multiple diocesan boards. He guided others in paying forward through Planned Giving for Florida Hospital, as ethics chair of the Financial Planning Association of Central Florida and as president of the West Point Society of Central Florida. He also served as a Stephens Minister and hospital visitor bringing comfort and prayer to patients and their families.
Frank’s life embodied the West Point motto of Duty, Honor, Country. He did that by giving of himself in time and attention to others. He lived with integrity and love in all of his actions. Frank kept his promises made on the general store’s porch. He made his family, friends, country, and congressman proud of him.
— The Arnall Family
