Francis Joseph Sheriff

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on January 5, 2006:

Francis Joseph Sheriff Born September 8, 1928 - Died January 3, 2006 Francis Joseph Sheriff was born in North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut on 8 September 1928 and was appointed to West Point from the 3rd Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "Frank came to West Point straight from high school in Connecticut and in no time flat hit the top quarter of his class. His activities were many and varied, and cow year, he took almost as many weekends as the firsties did. Unspoiled by the system, he allowed good judgment and hard work to be his guiding rule. He was a staunch friend and a steadying influence to all who knew him." During his cadet days Frank was with the Glee and Spanish Clubs and the Catholic Choir all four years; with the Howitzer staff yearling year; with the Pointer staff yearling and cow years; and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Frank went in the Signal Corps and after attending the Signal Corps Training Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia reported to the 25th Division in Korea where he served from 1953 to 1954 and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy. In 1957 Frank earned an MBA from Harvard University. In 1960 Frank was assigned as Signal Officer in Munich and served as such until 1962 when he was assigned to Headquarters, 3rd Division and served until 1963. In 1964 Frank attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and on completion was assigned to the Staff & Faculty at the United States Military Academy where he served until 1967 and was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Next Frank was named Commanding Officer of the 121st Signal Battalion, 1st Division Republic of Vietnam; served until 1968 and was decorated with a second and a third Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy; two Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight; and a second Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Frank's next assignment was to the Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Department of the Army where he served from 1968 to 1969 and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. In 1970 Frank attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley McNair and was then assigned to the Weapons System Evaluation Group, Office Secretary of Defense were he served until 1972 and was awarded a second Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services; and the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. Frank retired from the United States Army after a distinguished career in 1972 as a Colonel. After retirement Frank was named Vice President of Pension Plans with Baltimore, Inc. and in 1979 established his own company FJ Sheriff & Company and served as President. Frank and his wife Doris made their home in Glen Arm, Maryland until her death, Frank then moved to Timoium, MD where he died on January 3, 2006.

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