Franklin J. Salamone was born to Italian immigrants, Giovanni & Maria "Mary" (Esposito) Salamone on May 22, 1938. He grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, attending 13th &. Union Elementary, Northeast Middle and Reading High School.

Frank is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Bales of Reading; Maria, wife of Kevin Kieffer, of Wernersville;  Clarissa, wife of Tom Enslin, of Muhlenberg Township and son, Frank Salamone II, , husband of Heidi, of Solon, Ohio. Frank was also blessed with 19 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by son, John Joseph Salamone. 

Frank enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1957, receiving orders for recruit training on June 4, 1957 at Parris Island, Beaufort, South Carolina. 

Frank began infantry training in October, 1957 at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, and upon completion of training was ordered to ECHO Company 2nd Battalion 2nd Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 

In May 1958, Frank's ECHO Company boarded a variety of ships destined to the Mediterranean Sea for additional infantry and amphibious training. In July of that same year, his convoy circled the coast of Lebanon for several days until July 15th when President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the Commander of the Sixth Fleet to land. Frank and his company remained on the beaches of Lebanon until October 5, 1958 before returning to Camp LeJuene, North Carolina. Frank volunteered for three more Mediterranean cruises which included: 

• 1st BN 2nd Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division 1959

• 1st BN 6th Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division 1960

• 3rd BN 2nd Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division 1964

These cruises allowed Frank to visit Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Libya, and Tangiers while allowing him to spend time with his extended family in Bellamonte and Mezzinga, Sicily. 

In 1961 Frank reenlisted for duty with the 1st Marine Division and was assigned to the 1st Division Military Police Unit He attended Non-Commission Officer School and upon graduation, he was given orders for security duties at the Naval Communications Station located at Agana, Guam. Frank met his wife Mae while stationed in Guam, and remained her lifelong companion until her passing on May 9th, 2011.   

In 1963, Frank received orders to serve in a Special Service Unit with H&S Company Camp Barrett in Quantico, VA, serving in this capacity until 1965. 

In September, 1965, Frank escorted his wife and daughter to Guam where he received his assignment to Vietnam. Arriving in Vietnam, he was assigned to H&S Company for a short time before being transferred to ALPHA Company, 1st BN 1st Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division. Shortly thereafter he received orders for ECHO Company 2nd BN 3rd Marine Regiment 3rd Marine Division where he remained until completing his tour in December 1966. Frank was involved in the following operations during his tour: 

• Operation Double Eagle; Phase I from February to March 15, 1966

• Operation Double Eagle; Phase II from March 15, to April 30, 1966

These Operations were considered the first amphibious landings in Vietnam, and his unit's activities included: 

• Arrival in Da Nang, Original Occupational Areas Big and Little Hill 22 just north of Da Nang in July 1966,

• The 2nd BN 3rd Marine Regiment 3rd Marine Division was moved further north to Hill 65.

 Frank's unit was able to complete a few operations on Hill 65, during which Operation Allegheny took place. His unit was lifted above Hill 65 to assist a Recon unit where a Viet Cong training site was discovered. A mock 105 recoilless artillery piece was assembled with a tree trunk, representing a tube and two larger wagon wheels.

• In September 1966 the unit was called upon to move further north of Hill 65 to perform additional operations until 1969. Shortly after, a small number of Marines were removed from Hill 65 and transferred to Camp Pendleton for discharge and/or reassignment.

On January 1, 1967 the 5th Marine Division was reactivated for duty. The 5th Marine Division was deactivated in 1946 at the end of WWII. Marines who had completed 13 months in Vietnam were not immediately discharged, and formed the nucleus of the 5th Marine Division. Frank was assigned to the 27th Marine S-4 Office (supply support), and in February 1968, Frank was ordered to Camp Johnson for training with supplies and logistics. The day he arrived, his unit received orders to depart for Vietnam by air. Upon completion of school and training he was assigned to 5th Marine Division G-4 Supply and Logistics and was assigned to the supply analysis team. 

In August 1969 Frank helped to coordinate a parade in San Diego, CA to welcome home our Marines that served in the 5th Marine Division in Vietnam for over 13 months. The 5th 

Marine Division Colors were retired and the 5th Marine Division was once again deactivated. In October 1969 he received orders for Force Logistics Support Command as a supervisor /instructor. His new assignment would involve training of both marines and civilians on proper codes and numbers used in warehousing. 

From 1971 to 1972, Frank was assigned to the Philadelphia Naval Yards acting as a Marine Barracks training officer. In June 1973, he received orders for Drill Instructor School in Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduating from Drill Instructor School, Frank and 9 other marines were assigned to fill Sergeant Major Billets at Beaufont Marine Corps Air Station. This was a challenge having to reeducate marines on drug and alcohol abuse and essential subjects as required by Higher Command. 

From September 1973 to September 1975, Frank received orders to Force Logistics Command in Okinawa, Japan. He was then ordered to the Education Command at Quantico, Virginia in September 1975. This assignment provided him with expertise in the maintenance of buildings and equipment via skills relating to finances, education, the coordination of safety training, procurement, and management of Naval building funds. 

In June 1983, Frank was assigned to active military reserve status until receiving his military discharge in July, 1987, retiring with the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. Frank was a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 793 the Marine Corps Butterwick Leagues and the Devil Dogs.

Viewing will be Thursday, May 21st from 4 PM to 8 PM and Friday, May 22, Frank's birthday, from 9 AM to 10 AM at John P. Feeney Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, May 22nd at 10:30 AM at St. Ignatius RC Church. Interment with full Marine Corps honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville at 1:30 PM.

All Marines and members of Chapter 131  VVA are asked to attend Frank's service, if possible. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Chapter 131 Vietnam Veterans of America or the Butterwick League of the Maine Corps.