Obituary of Frank A. Wiswall

Frank A. Wiswall US Air Force Veteran Frank A. Wiswall, 94, of Boonton, NJ, passed away a home on Monday, May 5, 2014 surrounded by his family. Frank was born in Brooklyn, NY and lived in Mountain Lakes, NJ before moving to Boonton, where he has resided for most of his life. It was in 1940 when living in Mountain Lakes, NJ 18 year old Frank enlisted in the 102nd Cavalry Regiment, NJ Army National Guard. The Regiment was called into Federal Service in January 1941. Private Wiswall was a horse cavalryman in B Troop where he made many lasting friends. When the horses were to be retired and the squadrons fully mechanized, Wiswall volunteered for the US Army Air Corps. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and became a bombardier in the 8th Air Force, flying 25 combat missions from England in the famous Boeing Flying Fortress - B-17E, F & G models. Most missions were over France and Germany; some were vital to the Normandy Invasion - Operation Overlord. Captain Wiswall returned to America to develop advanced bombing procedures and training, which enabled more precision, saving lives and reducing destruction. He was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Clusters and the Legion of Merit. Lieutenant Colonel Wiswall, USAF retired after over 38 years, which included the Korean War in B-29's. On November 11, 2009 in a ceremony at the French Consulate in New York, he was made a Chevalier and decorated with the French Legion of Honor. He was a proud member of the 117th Cavalry Association, The Essex Troop Association and 8th Air Force Association. After his career in the Air Force Frank worked at Royal Netherlands / Nedlloyd Shipping Company in NY, NY for many years as a comptroller. Mr. Wiswall was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Boonton and of Mountain Lakes St. John's Lodge # 1 F & AM. Surviving are his beloved wife of 60 years, Mae (nee Beiermeister), devoted children, Lynn Lloyd with her husband, Bill, and Jeffery Wiswall; also 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter. He was predeceased by his children Dianne Bertarelli, Frank, Jr. and Thomas Wiswall. A Memorial Service will be held in the First Presbyterian Church of Boonton on Friday, May 9th at 2:00 pm. Arrangements in care of the Codey & Mackey Funeral Home, Boonton, NJ. To share a memory or extend condolences, please visit www.codeymackeyfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Boonton, 513 Birch Street, Boonton, NJ 07005 or to Vitas Hospice, 70 S. Orange Ave., Suite 210, Livingston, NJ 07039.