Francis Anthony Borrell

FRANCIS ( FRANK) ANTHONY BORRELL Francis Anthony Borrell was born on September 23, 1915 in Beacon, New York. He was the father of two children, Francis and Barbara and grandfather of two grandsons-Anthony and Vincent Born in Beacon, New York, he was the son of the late Francis and Theresa Borrell and the youngest of five brothers and two sisters He graduated from St John the Evangelist Catholic Grade School and attended two years at Beacon High school . Due to the Depression, he started working at Leuwittis Upholstery Factory making $0.30 per hour working 12 hours daily with no benefits . Hitler started invading European countries ( 1938-1940 ) World War II broke out in 1941 when on December 7, 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Frank enlisted into the Navy. His Basic Training was at Sampson NY Naval Base for six weeks. From Sampson, NY he went to Newport, Rhode Island . While at Newport, volunteers were asked to assist in building the USS Missouri at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Frank assisted in the actual building of the USS Missouri. He witnessed the christening of the USS Missouri by Mary Margaret Truman , while Harry Truman was still a Senator from Missouri , on June 1944. Frank was then commissioned to serve aboard the Battleship BB 63 USS Missouri. He served with pride and dignity aboard the Battleship BB 63 USS Missouri from 1944 -1947 , classified as a Second Class Gunner' s Mate. The USS Missouri was the Flag Ship for Admiral Halsey. .He was honored to serve under Admiral Halsey, Commander -in Chief of Naval Operations and had the opportunity to meet Admiral Halsey several times when he was on board the USS Missouri, as well as Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher , Admiral Nimitz , Captain Murray and General MacArthur Frank was part of the following WW II Battles: Ulithi, Iwo Jima, Honshu, Inland Island of Japan , Philippines , Okinawa , Normandy , D-Day and the Bombardment of Japan Frank was aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945 to be a part Japan "˜s official surrender when the Peace Treaty was signed ending World War II. Frank was awarded the opportunity to personality meet Admiral Halsey , Admiral Nimitz and General Mac Arthur on that great day-September 2, 1945, that ended WW II. Frank was assigned in the front row for the surrender ceremonies and remembers when General MacArthur at 9:02 AM stepped up to the microphone and issued these words: "IT IS MY EARNEST HOPE--INDEED THE HOPE OF ALL MANKIND-- THAT FROM THE BLOOD AND CARNAGE OF THE PAST, A WORLD FOUNDED UPON FAITH AND UNDERSTANDING , A WORLD DEDICATED TO THE DIGNITY OF MAN AND THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS MOST CHERISHED WISH FOR--- FREEDOM, TOLERANCE AND JUSITICE" After the ceremonies these Officers greeted each Naval Sailor that had served and presented to them for there Valor and Courage the Japanese Surrender Card . Frank still carries with great pride his WW II Peace Treaty Card from the USS Missouri that stated that he was a part of this historical event. This card has General Mac Arthur , Admiral Halsey , Captain Murray and Admiral Nimitz's signatures . After Japan's Official Surrender, Frank participated in the Mediterranean Peace Tour aboard the USS Missouri.. The USS Missouri , while in New York Harbor, on March 21, 1946 was assigned to return the remains of the Turkish Ambassador to the United States , Munir Ertegun, back to Turkey, who had died during WW II . Frank was selected as an Honor Guard. The USS Missouri anchored in the Bosphorus , off Istanbul on April 5 for the transfer of the Turkish Ambassador . The USS Missouri received full honors, including the 19 -gun salute during the transfer of the Turkish Ambassador's body. From there the USS Missouri departed Istanbul on April 9 and entered Phaleron Bay Greece. The next day the Greek government welcomed the USS Missouri as a "Symbol of Democracy and Peace". The USS Missouri then toured Tangiers and Algiers and arrived at Norfolk VA on 1946 . After that there were on-going Atlantic command Naval training exercises throughout . Frank was Honorably Discharged from the Navy on November 17, 1947. The USS Missouri Association was established in 1974 . Frank joined and has remained a member of the USS Missouri Association since 1974. Mr. Borrell is the last living sailor that witnessed history aboard the USS Missouri when General Mac Arthur officially signed the Peace Treaty on September 2, 1945 ending World War II . He has been presented with awards as well as the honor and has now been inaugurated into five veterans museum through out the United States- Kissimmee Air Museum, Kissimmee, FL; American Heritage Museum Midland TX; Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Ford Island, Hawaii; USS Missouri , Pearl Harbor Hawaii and WW II Veterans Museum , New Orleans, LA It has been stated WE MUST REMEMBER AND NEVER FORGET WW II VETERANS AND THE TREMENDOUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THIS "GREATEST GENERATION" Mr. Borrell , upon leaving the Navy, started working at IBM Poughkeepsie, NY . He was responsible for training all the engineers on the IBM mainframes. He was responsible for all duplication and reproduction features to IBM's mainframes. He worked at IBM for 30 years until he retired on September 28, 1980. He was active with the Knights of Columbus -3rd Degree, until his retirement from IBM in Beacon New York. ( 1946-1980.) Mr. Borrell retired to Orlando, FL in 1980 and has lived here since that time. He is a member of St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. He has remained active with Bishop Moore's Sports , especially with the Bishop Moore's Basketball Teams activities. His best challenge was to see The Bishop Moore Girl's Basketball Team win the Florida State Championship in 2008. Each year the Bishop Moore Basketball Team have given special recognition to Mr. Borrell for his loyalty and support before each basketball game by the teams Frank remained active in all the national sports--football, basketball and baseball. Surviving are his daughter, Barbara Susan Borrell, and two grandsons, Anthony Nason Borrell, Vincent James Borrell. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society , Central Florida Association, 3319 Maguire Blvd. Ste 101.,Orlando, FL 32803 or American Diabetes Association , 1101 N. Lake Destiny RD., Ste 415, Maitland, FL 32751 The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of the Comforter -Altamonte Springs , and the Orlando VA Nursing Facility-Hero's Village for their loving care and compassion. The family will be receiving friends from 6PM to 8PM, Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory 9001 N. Orlando Ave. Maitland, FL 32751. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM, Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with Fr. Augustine Clark as celebrant. Arrangements entrusted to DEGUSIPE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY. To leave a condolence, please visit, www.DeGusipeFuneralHome.com

Francis Anthony Borrell

September 23, 1915 - November 19, 2010