FRANK J GUNDAKER - MAJ
- HOMETOWN:
- newark
- COUNTY:
- Essex
- DATE OF BIRTH:
- January 14, 1934
- DATE OF CASUALTY:
- August 01, 1966
- BRANCH OF SERVICE:
- Army
- RANK:
- MAJ
- STATUS:
- KIA
- COUNTRY:
- South Vietnam
Biography
Frank J. Gundakerwas born on January 14, 1934, to Frank and Mary Gundaker. His home of record is Newark, NJ. He had a brother, Walter.
He attended Rutgers University and graduated in 1955.
Gundaker entered the US Army and attained the rank of Major (MAJ).
On August 1, 1966, Gundaker was piloting a UH- 1D "Huey" helicopter over South Vietnam moving a sling load of rotor blades to a clean up area. The load got into the rotor system damaging the rotor blades. The climbout blade of his helicopter began to oscillate and flew up into the motor of his aircraft. This caused the aircraft to roll inverted then crash and burn immediately. The four crewmembers onboard were killed including Major Gundaker, SP5 Shuman, SP4 Wallace and PFC Russell.
He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
He was survived by his wife, Natalie, and three children, Frank, Daniel and Karen.
There is a memorial at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, dedicated to the graduates who were killed or missing in action from the Vietnam War. Gundaker's name is listed among those killed in action.
Sources: Carl Burns (volunteer) and NJVVMF.
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