Frank Oshel

Birthplace: Topeka, Kansas

Branch of Service: Navy

Unit: USS Mahan DD364

Theater of Operation: Pacific

Highest Rank: F2

Honored By: Children, Janice and Judith

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.