Frank Russo

Frank Russo served in the United States Army and achieved the rank of Specialist 4.

Mr. Russo, a native of Italy, grew up in Brooklyn and now resides on Staten Island. His life was shaped by his time in the military and his service to our Nation, which has been the catalyst for a lifelong path of paying it forward.

A Vietnam veteran, Mr. Russo landed at Bien Hoa Air Base in South Vietnam on his twentieth birthday. He escorted convoys and protected the perimeter of multiple firebases. By the grace of God and all the souls lost there, he survived many close calls and returned home.

For his valor, bravery and service to our Nation, Mr. Russo was awarded numerous medals and commendations, including the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal (3 stars), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Service Medal, New York Medal of Merit, and New York Conspicuous Service Medal.

An active member of multiple veterans’ organizations, Mr. Russo is the Communication Officer at VFW Post 7172. He is Chairman of the Service Committee, First Vice Commander and Communication Officer, and Webmaster of AMVETS Post 917.

He has coordinated over 60 visits to Walter Reed Medical Center, visiting and distributing comfort items to injured veterans. In 2019, Mr. Russo was awarded the National AMVET of the Year Silver Helmet Award.

He is a staunch advocate of veterans and coordinates the annual Staten Island Welcomes Our Heroes event, where selected injured veterans from Walter Reed Medical Center are escorted by police and bikers from the Center all the way to Staten Island.

Mr. Russo has been a member of VVA Chapter 421 since 2010. He is a member of the Honor Guard, Color Guard and current Secretary and Webmaster.

Mr. Russo has a degree in computer science, and in 1979, he married his soulmate, Maria.

To honor those lost in Vietnam, Mr. Russo vowed to find a way to pay his survival debt, devoting himself to thanking, helping, and keeping veterans close to his heart. He honors the more than 58,000 lost souls that paved his safe return home. Staten Island is forever grateful for his life of service.