Francis Joseph Palme, Jr. (Better known to most as Frank, Dad, or Papa) was born June 10, 1934 in New Orleans, LA to Francis Joseph Palme, Sr. and Gladys Nolen Palme. He graduated from Falls Church High School in Falls Church, VA in 1952. From Falls Church, he matriculated at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) as member of the class of 1956.
After graduating, Frank spent a year teaching at Millersburg Military Institute (MMI) in Millersburg, KY while waiting for his active duty posting. He taught all subjects and had responsibility for the Corps of Cadets. His first active duty station after commissioning was Gelnhausen, Germany with the 1st
Battalion, 33 Armored Regiment (“Men of War”), 3rd Armored Division (Spearhead). He returned from Germany and was stationed at Fort Knox, KY where he met and later married Shirley Faye Deitz of Louisville, KY in 1962.
Frank served two tours in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star with one bronze oak leaf cluster, The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with with one unit palm citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with one bronze star, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Frank also proudly wore the Legion of Merit Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster. In addition to his service in Vietnam, Frank served tours at Fort Meade, MD, Anchorage, AK, Fort Lee, VA, Wichita, KS, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he was attached to Office of the Project Manager for the Saudi Arabian National Guard
Modernization Program. He returned to the United States again in 1978 and was stationed at the Pentagon as part of the Army General Staff. Frank retired from the United States Army having achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After leaving active duty, Frank worked with several defense contractors in the Northern Virginia area and the Virginia Employment Commission before retiring permanently. Frank was an Eagle Scout, a 3rd Degree Mason, and a Kentucky Colonel. He resided in Vestavia Hills, AL at the time of his passing on April 28, 2024.
Frank was predeceased by his parents, Colonel and Mrs Francis J. Palme Sr. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Deitz Palme; Two Children; his son, Garith Charles Palme of Huntsville, AL and his daughter, Kimberly Palme Moore of Vestavia Hills, AL; Four grandchildren; Morgan Elizabeth Palme of Chester Gap, VA, Tristan Charles Palme of Meridianville, AL, Kathryne Nolen Moore of Atlanta, GA, and Frances Cantrell Moore, also of Atlanta. He also leaves behind a beloved daughter-in-law, Monica Mullin Palme of Huntsville, AL and a beloved son-in-law, Carl Grady Moore, III of Vestavia Hills, AL.
Inurnment will be scheduled at the Alabama National Cemetery at a later date.
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