RADM S. Frank Gallo USN (Ret)

1936 - 2022

RADM S. Frank Gallo, USN (Ret), 86, passed away on Dec. 13, 2022, in Fernandina Beach, Fla., surrounded by family following a prolonged illness.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Frank was first-generation American and the first in his Italian immigrant family to graduate from college. His close-knit family instilled in him the values, which served him well his entire life – loyalty, honesty, integrity and faith. He passed along these qualities to his children and grandchildren, teaching them that "doing the right thing" was the only way to live your life.
A 1957 graduate of State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, Frank was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1958. At the time, he shared with his wife, JoAnne, that he would only stay in the Navy for "a few years." Initially, Frank was assigned to the USS Estes, the first of three aircraft carriers. He began naval flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1961, on his way to a 35-year naval career.
A true American patriot, Frank served in several Patrol Squadrons, including VP-23, where he began his flight career flying the P2V Neptune. Transitioning to the P-3 Orion in 1970, Frank would become known as the preeminent expert on this aircraft at the conclusion of his naval career. Subsequent squadron assignments included VP-11 and VP-24, where he first served as Executive Officer and then as Commanding Officer. His career also included operational assignments with Commander Patrol Wing Five and command of Patrol Wing Eleven in Jacksonville, Fla.
Frank served on the Chief of Naval Operations staff in Washington, D.C., in 1979, and then became Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare). The following year, he was named Executive Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic; Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command, and Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
Selected for flag rank (Admiral) in 1985, he assumed command of Patrol Wings, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Brunswick, Maine. Two years later, he transferred to Naples, Italy, where he assumed command of Fleet Air Mediterranean, Maritime Air Forces Mediterranean and Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Forces, U.S. Sixth Fleet. He returned to Washington for his final command as Naval Military Personnel Command and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel. Frank retired from the U.S. Navy in 1993 as a Rear Admiral (Upper Half).
Throughout his naval career, Frank served on multiple extended deployments to the Western Pacific, the Mediterranean, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Iceland, Northern Europe, the Azores, Southeast Asia for the Vietnam War, and the Philippines.
A decorated naval officer, Frank received the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two), Meritorious Service Medal (two), Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Vietnamese Service Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Commendation and the Vietnamese Civil Action Ribbon. He also received the Federal Armed Forces Commendation Cross in Silver from the Federal Republic of Germany. Frank was inducted into the Maritime Patrol Association Hall of Honor in 2018.
In addition to SUNY Maritime College, Frank is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., with a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He also attended the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., earning the designation as a Distinguished Graduate.
He spent his second career as National Executive Director of the Armed Services YMCA from 1994-2011. In this role, he focused on the enrichment of Navy enlisted personnel, a hardworking and dedicated group he cared for so deeply throughout his professional life.
In retirement, Frank and JoAnne's adventures continued with travel across the globe, including Italy and surrounding European countries, Russia, China, Vietnam, South America, the Amazon, Cuba, the Arctic Circle, Canada and the United States from coast to coast. Family trips (regaled to this day) brought the entire Gallo family to Italy, Mexico, Lake Tahoe, Maine, Virginia Beach and Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches.
Frank honored his love of flight as a docent for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. He served as a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years, and became a lector for St. Michael Catholic Church and beloved math tutor for St. Michael Academy.
In the Italian culture where food is love, Frank was frequently called to his family roots, where the kitchen is the heart of the home. Over the years, his culinary skills developed to equal his passion. Frank's mastery of the perfect marinara, homemade pasta and a crusty loaf of bread even led to a video cooking series for Nassau County Council on Aging in Fernandina Beach.
In 2015, Frank and his wife, JoAnne (Balch), moved to Amelia Island, where they became active members in the Osprey Village retirement community. Married for 64 "wonderful" years, they have three grown daughters, Elizabeth Dunn of Fernandina Beach, Anne Morris (Willard) of Silver Spring, Md., and Katherine Finder (David) of Milwaukee, Wis. His four grandchildren, Brian, Michaela, Eli and Natalie, lovingly call him "Papa." For Frank, family was central to his favorite saying, "It's Thanksgiving every day."
In his amazing lifetime, Frank served as a mentor, teacher and role model for countless people. He'll be missed by many, but mostly by his family.
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 202 N. Fourth St., Fernandina Beach. A reception will follow at Osprey Village, 48 Osprey Village Drive, Fernandina Beach. Interment with full military honors will take place at a future date at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
The Gallo family would like to thank the dedicated and loving professionals at Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring and Osprey Village for the excellent care in his final days. In lieu of flowers, please consider a tribute gift to the RADM S. Frank Gallo USN 1957 and JoAnne B. Gallo Endowed Scholarship Fund, which benefits deserving members of the Regiment of Cadets studying at his alma mater, SUNY Maritime College. Visit
https://www.sunymaritime.edu/donate-now (noting RADM Gallo's name) or send your gift via check to SUNY Maritime Foundation, 6 Pennyfield Ave., Throggs Neck, NY 10465.