Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Frank
Speir
September 3, 1910

–

July 8, 1956

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Frank Speir earned his commission as an ROTC cadet while attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During World War II he changed the nature of Amphibious Assault as one of the originators of the DUKW (D-for 1942 design, U-for utility or amphibious, K-for all-wheel drive, W-for axel driven) assault boat. He was one of three members of the U.S. Army to receive the Navy Cross in the Korean War. As a Colonel following his Korean War service, Frank Speir was Project Engineer of the Army’s Amphibious Warfare Program until the time of his death. He was killed in an airplane crash on July 8, 1956.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Army Tug 636

    Action Date:

    September 19, 1950

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Frank Speir, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while temporarily attached to Army Tug LT-636 and engaged in evacuating Republic of Korea guerrilla troops from a stranded LST far behind the enemy line on 19 September 1950. Sensing the reluctance of the relief LST to beach in enemy territory under fire, Major Speir volunteered to board it and beach it, which he did. After beaching the relief LST, Major Speir supervised the evacuation of the relief LST, Major Speir supervised the evacuation of over one hundred wounded and about six hundred troops by utilizing three life rafts in tandem. He swam to the beach though pinned down many times by enemy mortar, machinegun and small arms fire and managed to successfully evacuate all personnel with a minimum of losses. By his professional skill, indomitable courage and perseverance in the face of most trying circumstances, Major Speir was responsible for the evacuation of a large number of highly trained valuable troops and his unselfish devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Military Services.