Col. (Ret.) Frank Myer Bashore

Col. (Ret.) Frank Myer Bashore, 82, resident of Albuquerque, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 17, 2011. He was born to Iva and F. Willis Bashore in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on August 2, 1929. Dad's mother was a Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite and his father was a Methodist. Both parents were determined that their two sons receive a "top notch" education. Frank's brother, George graduated from Princeton University and became a Bishop (retired) in the United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wives, Irma Ledesma Bashore and Carla Maas Bashore. In 1947, he graduated from McCaskey High School in Lancaster where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track and was an Honor Student. Shortly after graduation, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. At West Point, he continued to excel in academics and continued to play Football, Basketball and Baseball all four years and earned Monograms in each sport. The highlight of his 2nd class year at West Point was his trip as a Cadet to Vero Beach, Florida as a Baseball Pitcher to workout with the Brooklyn Dodgers to include Branch Rickey, Don Newcombe, Roy Campenella and Gil Hodges. Also, he had the opportunity to play football under Coaches Earl "Red" Blake and Vince Lombardi while at the Academy. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1951, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and attended the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. After Basic Infantry Officers Course, he married Irma Ledesma Bashore and reported to the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division in Korea from 1952 to 1953. He was decorated with the Silver Star for distinguished gallantry in action, the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism in operations against an enemy and the Combat Infantry Badge. After returning to the states in August 1953, he was greeted by Irma and their newborn son. He was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in Fort Benning, Georgia. Several years later, he was assigned to Headquarters, Army Garrison, Fontainebleau, France from 1959 to 1963. In 1966, he attended the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His next assignment was a G2 of the 2nd Division in Korea in 1967. He was awarded a second Commendation Medal for distinguished service. On return from Korea, he was assigned to the Army Combat Development Command from 1967 to 1969 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a noncombat situation. In 1969, he was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Green Beret) in the Republic of Vietnam in the Mekong Delta where he served until 1970 and was decorated with the Legion of Merit, (4) four Bronze Star Medals for distinguished heroism against an enemy, one for valor, 3 Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight; the Commendation Medal for Valor and the Combat Infantryman Badge. His last military assignment was as Inspector General at Fort Bliss, Texas where he served from 1971 until 1974 when he retired as a Colonel. Irma passed away in 1978. After retirement and Irma's passing, Frank married Carla Maas and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he taught at Bernalillo High School in Albuquerque. Frank is survived by his children, Frank Bashore and Terri, Henry "Hank" Bashore and Suzi, George Bashore and Nancy, Carrie Donovan and Kevin, and Irma Canzoneri and Paul; grandchildren Anna Bashore, Bianca Rhoten, Shay Mahle, Jonathan Bashore, Eamonn Donovan, Eoin Donovan and Annie Donovan. Also, he is survived by his brother, Bishop George W. Bashore (retired) and his wife Carolyn of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and their children, Wanda Allison, John Bashore and Barbara Heagy and seven grandchildren. Graveside Service will be held at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors on November 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Red Cross in support of our Military Services. Frank will be remembered for his 23 years of Military Service for our country, but most of all, for being a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.