TEC 5 Frank S. Alvarado, 23, US Army WWII KIA, Austin, TX, 04 Dec 2024

[markwells]

Confirmed Mission: The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in the dedication ceremony of the newly installed marker on the grave of this WWII KIA soldier.

Frank Salas Alvarado was born in Texas on Jan 30, 1920 and died on Dec 4, 1943. He was born to Basilio Alvarado and Josefina Salas Alvarado. The youngest of 3 sons, Frank traveled to California to enlist in the US Army on Oct 11, 1941. He was chosen to be a part of the First Special Service Force and trained at Ft. Wm. Henry Harrison in Helena, MT.  The FSSF was an elite force of warriors that cross trained with Canadians.

In Dec 1943 they arrived in Italy and on Dec 2 began a ferocious battle against German troops on Monte La Difensa.  Hundreds of FSSF were KIA during this three day battle at which the FSSF was victorious.

Frank was KIA during this battle on Dec 4, 1943.  He was MIA until 1949 when his remains were brought home and interred in Austin, TX at Austin Memorial Cemetery.  From 1949 until now, Frank’s grave has been unmarked with no gravestone to honor this hero’s sacrifice, legacy, and memory.  Through the research and diligence of his niece Maria C. Coke and great nephew Ricky Cannon, a monument/headstone was finally placed on his grave to honor him, 81 yrs after his death and resting 75 yrs in an unmarked grave.

Date/Time: Wednesday, 04 December 2024.  Graveside service at 2 pm

Location: Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78731. We will stage at the cemetery at the a small parking area to the right just past the entrance.
Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/5FCQEn4isto

Timeline:
1:00 pm – 1:40 pm – Staging
1:40 pm – Mission Briefing
1:45 pm – Move to the gravesite and form the flag line for the ceremony

Wx: Hi 68 deg, light rain possible

Notes: This is a flag line only at the cemetery for the duration of the approximately 30 minute service.  The PGR will fold and present a flag to TEC Alvarado’s niece.

Ride Captain: Gary Mayers, texanat6@aol.com, (512) 797-6613
Flag Wrangler: Gary Mayers

Please attend this mission to honor this hero who gave his life many years ago in the defense of freedom.

[Gary Mayers]

What an honor it was for the Austin Patriot Guard Riders to take part in such a historic event.

TEC 5 Frank Alvarado 23, US Army WWII KIA. For the past 75 years Frank was unknown and had only a blank headstone. After years of research by the family they are finally able to have a headstone to identify him.

Seven Patriot Guard Riders including two from San Antonio gathered on a rainy day at the Austin Memorial Cemetery to stand a flag line for Frank’s family and friends. Two Patriot Guard Riders unfolded and refolded a casket Flag, and a bugler sounded live taps. We presented 3 flags to the nieces for their uncle’s honorable and faithful service.

Many Family members thanked us for being there to support them and to pay honor to TEC 5 Frank Alvarado
RIP

[Author]

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