Frank Sasaki Obituary

FRANK YOSHITO SASAKI Frank Yoshito Sasaki died October 3rd, 2023, in Honolulu at the age of 91. A burial will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 4th, 2024, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, where Frank will be interred with full military honors. Frank was born in Na'alehu, Ka'u, Hawaii on November 16th, 1931, to parents Jintaro and Rin Sasaki. He attended Na'alehu Elementary & Intermediate schools and graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute, class of 1949. He enlisted in the US Army following graduation and participated in four major campaigns during the Korean war, receiving an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant in October 1952. He then earned a degree in Government from the University of Hawaii and re-enlisted with a commission as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army in 1957. He went on to become a helicopter pilot and served 2 combat deployments in Vietnam. Frank flew helicopter gunships with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and went on to become fire team leader with the 114th Assault Helicopter Company as the Executive of Operations of the 101st Aviation. Frank was decorated for heroism in combat earning, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal along with many other medals and commendations. He completed his 20 year military career in Germany, continuing to fly many sorties along cold-war enemy lines, retiring a Major. Frank returned to his native Hawaii in 1976, where he worked for the State of Hawaii in Airport Operations until retirement, and he remained a Honolulu "McCully" local until the end. Frank enjoy golf -- ok - he more than enjoyed golf. At his peak, he was an 11 handicap - that's a real number, because Frank was a stickler for the rules. He was a man of few words, but he made them count with a quick wit and a bone-dry sense of humor. He was loved by his family and many, many friends. Frank was the second youngest of 9 children, survived by a large 'Ohana, including his siblings Lillian Aratani, Terue Sumida, and Gilbert Sasaki. He is also survived by his son Tim Mitchell and daughter-in-law Brianne Taylor. They broke the mold when they cast you, Frank - rest in peace. Arrangements Provided By: Aloha Mortuary