BG Frank J. Palermo Jr.

BG Frank Joseph Palermo, Jr. (USA-Ret) (age 88) of Alexandria, VA, on April 11, 2019, beloved husband of Irmgard Maria Palermo, loving father of Frank (Kate) of Alexandria, Christopher (Fay) of California and Lisa Vogt (Jeff) of Colorado; also survived by 3 grandchildren. Mr. Palermo was predeceased in death by his sister Mary Ellen Gusweiler. A visitation was held at DEMAINE FUNERAL HOME, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314 on Wednesday June 26th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, VA on September 18, 2019, at 8:45 AM, followed immediately by Interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the “Army Emergency Relief” https://www.aerhq.org/ or a donation to the charity of your choice. www.demainefuneralhomes.com Frank Jr. passed away peacefully in Fairfax, Virginia. He was the second child and only son of Frank Joseph Palermo, Sr., and Emma Palermo, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Frank Jr. was born in and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio; his only sister (deceased) was Mary Ellen Gusweiler of Cincinnati, Ohio. Frank Jr. attended Xavier High School (1948) and Xavier University (1952), studying Classical Language Philosophy. Later, he earned an Aerospace Master’s Degree from the University of Arizona (1965). His passions during his early years were boxing and horses; his passion for everything about horses lasted his lifetime. Soon after his 1952 university graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and entered service as a Private in 1953, and trained as an Infantryman at Ft Polk, LA. Accepted into the Field Artillery Officers Candidate School (OCS), Frank Jr. completed the program as a distinguished graduate in 1954, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. Frank Jr. was later inducted into the Artillery OCS Hall of Fame. This started a 26 year career in the U.S. Army. His service included many duty stations, including overseas in Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. Frank Jr.’s assignments included field artillery, rocket and missile, and nuclear weapons units. His work also included several missile and technology Research & Development programs. Frank Jr. especially enjoyed his time assigned to airborne units, including the 11th Airborne and 82nd Airborne Divisions. His work with R&D programs included program management of the Hellfire missile system, and work on the Pershing and Lance missile systems. He served a tour (1966-1967) in Vietnam starting with the Military Assistance Command – Vietnam (MACV) and then extending his tour to serve as an adviser to the Vietnamese Airborne Division, earning a Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, a Combat Star for the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge. His military education included the Command and General Staff College (1963), Armed Forces Staff College (1966), and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (1971). While serving in Germany in (1956), Frank met Irmgard Maria Saedlmaier at a local riding stable, and married while stationed in Germany. They had three children and three grandchildren. Irmgard was Frank’s wife and partner through life, and a great part of his successful military career, including the management of the many household relocations, and maintained the family during the unaccompanied tours that come with military life. After retiring from the Army (1979) Frank Jr. formed his own company, and consulted with the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. He also helped create another company, Cypress International, and served part of that time as the Executive Vice President. This group specialized in business development and marketing of Defense and Aerospace products and services worldwide. He worked for Cypress International until 1985, including at times as the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary. Frank Jr. continued his passion for horse activities throughout his life, and made sure the entire family was part of this world. He worked to start a hunt club at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and was an active member of the Middleburg, Virginia, Hunt Club. In his early years he would show horses in various events, including jumping, and later joined the Woodlawn, Virginia, Polo Club. He loved to get the family up early on a cold winter’s morning to go riding, usually taking turns with one or two horses. Whether bought from family or friends, he owned several ex-race horses in his lifetime. His other long time hobby was sailing and racing sail boats with the Daingerfield Island Sailing Club (DISC), previously the Daingerfield Island Cruising Fleet (DICF), of Alexandria, Virginia. Frank Jr raced for about 20 years while in retirement, including local and long distance races on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay races. Again, it was a hobby the whole family could enjoy, which gave him great pleasure, including overnight boat camping trips. Simple things gave him great pleasure, such as playing chess with the family, trips to the beach, smoking a good cigar, and spending time with his grandchildren. Frank Jr. is remembered as faithful father and friend by many, who enjoyed all that life had to offer. He is loved and will be deeply missed.