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Fronkier -- Major (Ret USAF) Henry"Hank" B. Fronkier, 83, a resident of Albuquerque for 40 years, passed away Tuesday, August 17, 1999. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Imagene Alice (McKown) Fronkier; son, Michael Fronkier and wife, Katheryn of Edmond, OK; daughter, Pamela Jean Peters and husband, Jay of Albuquerque; and grandchildren, Kathleen Lynn Fronkier and Douglas James Fronkier, both of Edmond, OK. He was preceded in death by his five brothers, Louis, David, Francis, Arvis and Arthur. Major Fronkier was born on July 15, 1916 in Ponca City, OK. He was a member of the Osage Indian Tribe and one of the few Native Americans who served as an Air Force pilot. Major Fronkier was a command pilot whose career spanned the"golden" years of the Air Force. His remarkable flying career started in an open cockpit J-3"Cub" in 1939. He was an instructor pilot during the early days of WWII and flew C-46"Commando" cargo aircraft in the China-Burma-India theater. After WWII, Major Fronkier served a tour in Korea, spent three years in Japan and participated in the evacuation of American embassy personnel from Hanoi and Hiphong in French Indo-China. He was inducted into the"Mach Busters" by flying the F-100F Super Saber faster than the speed of sound in 1961. Major Fronkier returned to South Viet Nam in 1963, flying C-123"Expeditor" airlift missions for U.S. advisors and the Army of the Republic of Viet Nam. After his return from South East Asia, he retired from the Air Force in December 1963, after 20 years of service. Major Fronkier's awards included the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, the United Nations Medal and the National Chinese Freedom Medal. In 1966, he opened the Isleta Laundry and Dry Cleaners, which served the south valley area of Albuquerque for over 16 years. Major Fronkier was a loving husband and devoted father. Memorial rosary will be recited Friday, 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel. Memorial services will be held Saturday, 10:00 a.m., at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE.
        Published on: Fri August 20, 1999