Sgt Frank William Skokan US ARMY July 28,1951 Aug 10,2003

[White Oak]

Frank William Skokan AKA XGRUNT joined the Army Jan 9,1970 in Atlanta,GA.Did 8 weeks of basic training and 8 weeks of Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk,LA. High scores got him into the Infantry Leaders Course(12 weeks) at Fort Benning,GA.Arriving in Republic of South Vietnam March 25,1971,Infantry,Buck Sgt E-5 or "Shake and Bake".Assigned to 3/506th 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION.Voluteered to go to Recon Platoon and was accepted even with no field experiece,3/506th needed NCO's.Franks job required him and 5 more members to be inserted by chopper into the jungle and then stay hidden for 15 to 20 days.Their job is to report, be the eyes and ears for the 506th.A job that kept you tired,on edge and stresed at all times.A very dangerous job.In the fall of 1971 he was on Firebase Rifle when the NVA tried to take it.Many of his patrols were ambush actions.He was reassigned to Recon 1/501 101st in May 1971.His job there was the same,6 man patrols,20 days of bush. He left Vietnam Jan 30,1972 and was Honorably Discharged Jan 31,1972.Was awarded and his most prized possession the Combat Infantry Badge,The Bronze Star Metal,Air Metal,Vietnam Service Metal,National Defense Service Metal.Frank was very proud of his service to his country

[Desdichado]

See you in Valhalla, chum.

[exlrrp]

God Bless, frank, it was good to know you.
See you on the other side

James Worth

Happy just to be alive

[formergrunt70]

Thanks WhiteOak that was nice just wish I had known earlier.Hope to see You soon!

"First Shirt"

[BLUEHAWK]

Thanks WhiteOak -

Never knew Frank in person, but in my short time on here we'd gone around the circle a time or two... On August 8th he and I were PM about a post where I was gettin' my ass shot off after shooting my mouth off, and he was protecting me, in private... sounds normal for xgrunt.

[ArtySgt]

WHITEOAK, thanks for sharing this with us, may he rest in peace at last.

[frisco-kid]

Looks to be a fine final resting place for a Fallen Eagle. From what I can tell, you're amongst some fitting comrades. You'll be remembered by alot of people whose lives you touched and impacted through the years so, therefore, never really gone. Thank you for your service.

"RENDEVOUZ WITH DESTINY," BRO!

[DMZ-LT]

Thanks Danny. What Frisco said , he ain't gone , I talk to him every day. His resting place looks good.

[Packo]

Frank looks comfortable in his new home.......Peace at last.

Here's to a band of brothers!

Airborne Frank!

Packo

[MontanaKid]

I remember him well from the old history channel boards.

"Which one you choose...no one can follow.
That path is meant...for your steps alone."

--Jerry Garcia "Ripple"

catch ya on the flip-flop.
Doc