More detail on this person: Francisco (Frank)
Basaldua, US Army Captain, Retired, passed away
on December 18, 2011. Throughout Frank's time in
the Army, he was known as "Cisco", "Chico",
"Captain Bas", or by his call sign "Thunderbird16"
while a helicopter pilot assigned to the 118th
Assault Helicopter Company, Thunderbirds, in Bien
Hoa, South Vietnam. Frank was the Thunderbird's
1st platoon leader (aka Red Platoon or Scorpions).
Frank was very proud to have been a member of the
Thunderbirds and in recent years, prior to his
passing, he enjoyed reconnecting with his
Thunderbird troops at VHPA reunions, via email or
by phone. You could not mention the word "Huey"
around Frank without setting aside some time for
him to provide details about the helicopter's
history, inner workings and how well it flew.
Frank never forgot those he served with,
especially during his time in Vietnam.
His greatest achievement in life, though, was
being a loving and supportive husband and father.
Frank lost his wife Eva in 2003. He is survived by
his two daughters, Cindy and Stacey, along with
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Even though
his retirement from the military was more family
oriented, he still presented himself proudly as a
member of the US Military. He wore his flight
wings on his cap and drove with a "Retired Army"
sticker on his vehicle. He continued to support
all the men and women of all branches of service.
When he lived near a military installation, he
would make regular visits to get his hair cut in
standard military fashion. Frank is interred
beside his loving wife in his hometown of
Woodsboro, TX. The local VFW chapter gave him a
beautiful military send off. God bless him and all
those men and women that have served, especially
those that gave their lives for their country. In
Frank's name, we honor them.
From: Quinn Dunn
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024
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