Frank D. Oshel
Frank D. Oshel
Navy
FRANK
D.
OSHEL
Aug 11, 1922 - Dec 25, 2000
BIRTHPLACE: Topeka, Kansas
SOLDIER DETAILS
HIGHEST RANK: F2
DIVISION:
Navy
, USS Mahan DD364
THEATER OF OPERATION:
Pacific
HONORED BY: Children, Janice and Judith
BIOGRAPHY
Naval F2c Frank Oshel was aboard the USS Mahan DD364 when it sunk on 12/07/1943 in the Battle of Ormoc Bay, Pi. A Japanese kamikaze suicide plane crashed into the vessel and sank. Naval 2C Oshel was stationed on Gun #4 at the time of the attack and was thrown into the ready box and was pulled out by a member of the gun crew. He abandoned the ship off the fantail. He helped crewmate Olson, who could not swim, stay afloat in the Pacific. Several Naval enlistees were killed and there was a huge fire on the water. The sailors had to float in the ocean with life jackets for several hours before getting rescued.