Frank Anthony DiFiglia

The database page for Frank Anthony DiFiglia

21 Apr 2002 Remembered by his squadronmates in the 20th Special Operations Squadron the Green Hornets. A memorial from a fellow Green Hornet, Robert Hall Robert.Hall12@scott.af.mil

25 Aug 2006 For my uncle, LtCol Frank Anthony DiFiglia I remember the day we heard my uncle had been killed. He was 2 weeks short of retiring and coming home for good. I was 11 years old at the time and this was the first time I ever saw my mom cry. Uncle Frank was her oldest brother and closest sibling. Seeing my mom cry was very painful and I didn't know how to ease her pain. Rose M. Difiglia-Alfieri passed away 3 years ago. I know they are somewhere together enjoying each other's company once again. From his niece, Louise Alfieri toastposties@sbcglobal.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 26 March 1969 a UH-1 (tail number 63-13158) of the 20th SOS went down. While hostile fire was the suspected cause, the only certainties are that the aircraft was flying at about 4,000 feet when a severe vibration began. The pilot began an auto-rotation to earth, but control was lost during the descent. The main rotor came apart, severing the tail boom. The aircraft crashed and burned near Duc My, SVN, 12 minutes north of Nha Trang, SVN. Eight men died in the crash: Aircrew, 20th SOS, 14th SOW LtCol Frank A. Di Figlia, pilot, Commanding Officer, Burbank, CA TSgt Jesse C. Bowman, Lexington, KY Sgt Antonio L. Alho, Naugatuck, CT Passengers Col Donald G. Lepard, 14th SOW staff, Flint, MI Col J B L. Levesque, 14th SOW staff, Van Buren, ME Capt Walter C. Booth, 20TH SOS Maintenance Officer, Waukesha, WI Capt Robert W. Fields, Flight Surgeon, 14th USAF Hospital, De Land, FL Mr. Green, US civilian, assignment unknown According to Jim Henthorn, who has compiled a history of USAF helicopter losses, there was one survivor - a Sergeant Joslyn.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his niece, Louise Alfieri toastposties@sbcglobal.net

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 21 Apr 2002
Last updated 08/26/2006