James A. Frost

JAMES ALLISON FROST was born in New Salem, PA to Alva A. (Jake) Frost and Ellen Springer Frost November 9th, 1922 and is preceded in death by his Father, Mother and his daughter, Judith Frost Ferguson. He was married December 5, 1975 to Jane Knippa Frost and is survived by Jane, his son-in-law Chuck Ferguson of Brunswick ME, his two granddaughters, Allison Frost Lantieri and her husband, Chris of Hebron, CT, Amy Ferguson of Lisbon Falls, ME and his two great-grandchildren James and Ella Lantieri. Shortly after James was born, the family moved to Wheeling WV and James started school during the depression years. His family moved to Morgantown WV where he attended 6th grade through his graduation from Morgantown High School. In 1941 he attended West Virginia University and became a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. In 1942 James entered into the V-5 Naval Cadet program and was called up to attend flight (secondary) school in Lynchburg VA followed by preflight school in Athens GA and then to Pensacola FL for advanced flight training and was commissioned an Ensign US Navy-R, number 306337 in 1943. He was then sent to Naval Air Navigation School and assigned to the Bombardier Squadron in Key West, FL where their coverage was approximately 200 miles south of Cuba east and west in search of German submarines. No allied ships were lost in this area during their assignment. He completed 40 missions during this tour with VPB208. His squadron was transferred to the Pacific Theater arriving at Saipan in 1944 where he covered Iwo Jima, Yap, Ulithi, Guam and Okinawa Japan. VPB 208 stood the test at Truk, Chichi and Iwo Jima and stood the test at Okinawa landing at Okinawa on D-Day (1945) and remained there until the end of the war. The bombing by VPB 208 resulted in becoming a member of the Surrender Group in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Hamlin CV-15 during which time James was directed to take a group of “Life” camera men to Hiroshima, Kobe and Osaka to take pictures of the devastation there. When the war ended James was released and discharged from active duty and placed in the Ready Reserves. During the time in Tokyo James was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, American Theater, Asiatic Pacific Theater (2 Stars), The Navy Good Conduct Medal and the Navy Reserve Medal (10 Yrs.). James then reported to Washington DC and was placed in the Naval Reserve after which he returned to West Virginia University to complete his education. He received his BS degree in Business Administration in 1948. James civilian jobs consisted of a Production Test Pilot with the Martin Company in Baltimore MD (B-57 – D-57, P6M, PBM, P5M, ASW System) and a Project Test Pilot. He was then transferred to the Denver Division where he was associated with the Titan I & II Missiles. James then joined Rockwell in Los Angeles and later transferred to their Tulsa Division as a Director of Business Development. He ended his career at Control Data as a Marketing Manager in Los Angeles and retired in 1990. James and his wife Jane have been long-time members of Grace Lutheran Church located at 5th Place and Lewis Avenue where James’s Memorial Service will be held on November 21st at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers friends may contribute to Grace Lutheran Church or the charity of their choice. Services are being handled by Moore Funeral Home - Southlawn Chapel, 9350 East 51st, Tulsa, OK, 918-663-2233

James A. Frost

November 9, 1922 - October 31, 2014