Frank Ettinger was born in 1924 in Granite City, Illinois. His family relocated shortly thereafter to Chagrin Falls, Ohio where he grew up. Shortly after graduating from high school in 1942, Frank joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. Based on a good high school record, he was assigned to the Aviation Cadet Training Program at the University of Alabama, which he hoped would lead to joining his older brother as a pilot. However, problems with his eyes led to surgery and subsequent reassignment as a radio mechanic and transfer to Truax Field in Wisconsin.
Frank was shipped overseas in 1944 to the China-Burma-India (CBI) theatre of operations and assigned to the 51st Fighter Control Squadron of the 10th Air Force. Staff Sergeant Ettinger served first in the Assam Valley of India and then in Burma, where he and his small detachment celebrated VJ Day in 1945.
Frank returned to the States on New Year’s Day in 1946. Both he and his brother (the pilot) jumped at the opportunity offered by the new GI Bill, enrolling for the spring term at Bowling Green State University in their home state of Ohio. It was there that he met a pretty sorority girl who soon became his wife for the next 60 years.
Frank stayed in the Reserves and was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. After several years of working in a variety of businesses, he discovered his passion as a 6th grade teacher. Known as Mr. E, he taught math, science and history for 25 years in the Mayfield school district in Ohio. Frank now enjoys retired life, spending his time in Virginia and Florida. He loves participating in the Rocky Run Middle School’s annual World War II program and other veteran events.
Biography courtesy of the Friends of the National World War II Memorial. An interview of Frank’s experiences can be found here: https://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/voices/frank-w-ettinger/