Frank G. Russo

Frank G. Russo Sr. Full-Page Memorial Ad

Frank G. Russo, “Chick,” was born in Greenwich, Conn. on Feb. 23, 1920 to Italian immigrant parents Sebastian and Geovanna Russo. Chick remembered that his father “Bennie never wore a frown, always ready to help anyone that needed help, and a comfort to me, my two older brothers (Joseph and Carl), and our youngest and only sister (Frances).” Chick followed his father’s example in life and his own personal philosophy of “making everyone a better person for having known him,” whether as a husband, parent, friend, neighbor, or at work as a fighter pilot, squadron commander, operations officer, weapons controller, director of information, flight and weapons instructor, managing editor at the Playground Daily News, or volunteer at the Tyndall AFB Pharmacy.

He attended public schools in Greenwich, and by 13 he was working at a gas station, dutifully turning his earnings over to his mother. He played music all his life, starting with the accordion in a trio with his brothers. At 17, he left home to see the world. He began by playing on a cruise ship that sailed the “Havana Turnaround” in the days when infamous gangster Meyer Lansky ran Cuba.

The world entered war, and Chick answered the call. He began serving his country in the Army Air Corp in 1941 at Mitchel Field in New York, first as an airplane engine mechanic. From the beginning, he was determined to become a fighter pilot, a position the Canadian Air Force had already offered. His belief in achieving target goals was reflected by this quote, “The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer.”

His hard headed determination and wit convinced his superior officers to allow him to enter flying school, perhaps the last man without 2 years of college to do so. His marriage to beautiful Gloria Davey allowed him to take his bride to Cross City, Florida where flight training began. In 1943, he took the Oath of Office at Luke Field in Phoenix as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force Officer’s Reserve Corp. and the wives were sent home.

He served with honor during World War II, flying 432 hours of combat in the Philippines, Papua, New Guinea, and the East Mandates, with 3 confirmed and 9 suspected kills of enemy aircraft. His exemplary service earned many decorations and recognitions, notably the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Chick became a First Lieutenant in the Reserve in 1947 and returned to his wife in New York to see his 9-month-old daughter for the first time. He took several jobs to support his family, keeping his flying skills as a private pilot for a wealthy industrialist. Consequentially, the Air Force recalled him. In January of 1951, he was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base. After flying over the beautiful beaches for the first time, he thought, “The Lord made these beaches just for me,” and upon landing, went to the personnel office and changed his home address to Panama City, Florida.

His next assignments led him into information and communication, with Langley AFB in Virginia and Olmstead AFB in Pennsylvania as home bases. He was responsible for special events, building skills that would complement his later work. Advanced jet training for interception took him back to Tyndall through 1956. The next three years were on Okinawa,where he flew the Taiwanese Straits during the Kinmen (Quemoy) and Matsu crisis.

A rapid assignment change utilized his information skills to take him to the Pentagon in 1960, to work with Secretary of the Air Force General Curtis LeMay. The Air Force utilized his talents well, so he worked closely with the Thunderbirds and organized events for President John F. Kennedy. By 1961, his flying hours totaled 2777:05. As a result of his service there, he was granted the Legion of Merit.

During the course of his military career, he moved his family to Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, Florida, and Japan. He settled his family in his permanent home, Panama City, and drove 75 miles each day to his last assignment: Director of Information at Eglin Air Force Base completed his Air Force career.

Lt. Col. Russo retired April 30, 1966, with 25 years of service. He returned to Tyndall for 5 years as a civilian to instruct pilots and weapons control. His experience at Eglin as the information director led to his time as an editor of the Playground Daily News.

He carried on with his musical career into his 80’s, playing locally with “The Good For Nothing Band”, whose members included Cliff Munson, Don Pitman, Carlos Riley, Tom McAuley, Bob Taylor, and George Campen. Chick said, “We are good and we play for nothing.” 

When wife Gloria passed away in 1989, Wynelle Moore Greene became his second wife, and comforted him. Their travels through the United States refreshed memories and provided 14 years of happiness. Sadly, Nell passed away in 2003. Good friends from years at the 55 Plus Club and the VFW helped his broken heart mend. He spent eight more years with a dear companion, Patricia Hansen. Dedicated to service, he volunteered at the Tyndall Air Force Base Pharmacy until his 90th birthday.

Alone following Pat Hansen’s unexpected death in 2015, he moved into his apartment at Mathison Retirement Community, where he made many new friends. As his daughter Kathy told him, he had completed all his good work. “The world could say, ‘Thank you!’ It was time for him to simply sit back, enjoy, and say, ‘You’re welcome!’” He humbly disagreed, “I simply did what I was asked, nothing more than millions of other guys who gave their all.”

Lt. Col. Frank G. “Chick” Russo, USAF, Ret., passed away Sept. 25, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents Sebastian and Giovanna; two brothers Joseph and Carl; sister Frances; son Frank, Jr.; mother of his children Gloria Davey; second wife Wynelle Moore; brother-in-law George Buchanan; and special friend Pat Hansen. His survivors include children Katharine (Drew) Davis, John (LeeAnn) Russo,and Trish (Rick) James; grandchildren Raven (Becky), Grey (Ari), Cole (Sarah) Davis, Rachael (Zach) Cole, and Austin Arnold; great-grand children Henry, Amelia, and Cade Davis; sister-in-law Lois Buchanan (children Danielle and Michelle); nieces Linda Russo (Mark Smegal), Kim Russo, Karen (Matt) Charatan; nephews Carl (Jane) Russo and Doug Henschel; along with many dear relatives and friends who called him “Poppa Chick.” The family expresses deepest appreciation for: the care provided by Dr. William Dent, Becky, and Sheila; caregiver Selina Trice; and for the hospice care provided by Emerald Coast’s staff. Pallbearers are Raven Davis, Grey Davis, Cole Davis, and Austin Arnold. Honorary Pallbearers are Zach Cole, Darren Bowen, and Cliff Munson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Air Force Aid Society or the Fisher House Foundation.

Frank G. Russo Sr. Full-Page Memorial Ad

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