The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Frank Vincent Raz, who died in the service of his country on November 18th, 1967 in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Booby Trap. At the time of his death Frank was 19 years of age. He was from Newburgh, New York. Frank is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 30E, Line 18.
The decorations earned by PFC Frank Vincent Raz include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Frank is buried in the Calvary Cemetery/ 55 Grand St./ Newburgh, NY (New Windsor Township)
(POSTED BY: Joseph W McCormick, Captain, US Army, Retired for disability)
Frank was my radio operator the day he was killed.
I met Frank on the USNS Upshur on our way to Vietnam and was his platoon leader for his whole time in country. On the day he was killed, we triggered a landmine. I was seriously wounded and unconscious, but was later told Frank stayed on the radio until he had conveyed all needed information to the CO. He then put his handset on the radio, laid beside it and died. He was a very, very good man.
(from childhood acquaintance)
I remember Frank when he was a boy growing up in Newburgh. We were all going to Broadway School. He was good friends with Tommy Tovey, a guy in my class whom I was friends with. We would play at school during recess or after school in the school yard and then at Tommys house just up the street. Back then I thought the front yard at Tommys house was SO big and a long way up there to the front door. (Having been back to the area as an adult I have found the hill and the height to be much less, as with many things from our youth. I didnt know it then ...but I do now. Tom and Frank were true friends. Just 2 guys who felt comfortable with each other and could laugh, and joke, and play, and discuss just about anything.Sadly today I dont see that many guys our age being really good friends. They were friends like I think of girls being friends for life. Probably there are a lot of guys who are friends...its just was so obvious with the two of them. I sorry to say that I dont remember Frank after grade school. We must have traveled among different friends. I remember his smile, his kind heart, and his patience. I hope others will take a minute to place a memory here. How sad it was to hear at our 25th high school reunion that Frank had given his life for us to live. May we honor his memory by living our best. And may Frank live on in each one of us who knew him. Thanks for the memories Frank...I will cherish them ...and YOU!!!!!!
Posted by: Anne Parrott Dressel
Email:
Relationship: We grew up together
(From His Obituary)
A Newburgh solider, Pfc. Frank V Raz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank A Raz of Waring Road, has been killed in action in Vietnam. He was killed on November 18 by metal fragments from an enemy booby trap.
Pfc. Raz, who would have celebrated his 20th birthday on Friday, was born November 24, 1947 at Cornwall Hospital. He was a member of the Boy Scouts and a graduate of Newberg Free Academy.
His father said, "Franks hobby was cabinet making and wood crafts." He pointed to the gleaming cabinets and said, "He was a good boy and a handy boy."
Pfc. Raz entered the service January 24, 1967 and arrived in Vietnam in August. In addition to his parents, he is survived by one sister, Nancy-Jo. Doulin Zillig Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
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