LTJG FRANK H. RAAB, JR., USN

Class 1950
Born February 15, 1928
Died September 27, 1952
Age 24
Hometown Kansas City, Missouri

Lucky Bag Yearbook

Lucky Bag Portrait

FRANK HENRY RAAB

Science lost a promising young doctor when Hank gave up his medical course at Kansas University and came to Navy. Bringing with him a liking for athletics, movies, and psychology books, Hank quickly acclimated himself to the changed environment and proceeded to become an outstanding member of Navy’s Track and Cross-country Teams. As for a hobby, argumentation was his forte. No point was too small for this discerning individual, whose concern for detail and correctness was second to none. If Hank doesn’t get that bug again for medical science, you’ll find his vigorous and well-rounded makeup a worthy addition to Uncle Sam’s fleet.

Loss

Frank was lost on September 27, 1952 when his F6F-5N night fighter crashed near Wamego, Kansas while on a cross-country flight from Dallas to Kansas City, Missouri. He was stationed at the Boca Chica (Key West) Naval Air Station and was nearly complete with a four months’ course at the Fleet All Weather Training Unit.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Frank’s crash occurred while he was flying from Dallas, Texas, to Lincoln, Nebraska. He was stationed at Key West, Florida.

Frank attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, class of 1946. In 1944 he won Best All-Around Athlete, High school. At the University of Kansas in 1945-46, Frank placed second in the mile and the half-mile against Oklahoma and then second against K-State, third against Nebraska, and third in the triangular 880.

His father Dr. F. Henry Raab, surgeon and gynecologist, died on November 17, 1939. His mother, the former Burree McConahy McKee, died on September 16, 1948. Frank’s brother was David, and their half-sister was Mrs. Betty McKee Eggert.

He is buried in Missouri.

Photographs

Memorial Hall Error

Frank is not listed with his classmates. This mistake was discovered by reviewing Shipmate magazine.