Stanley Frable

By Ryan Sophabmixay

Edited By Elizabeth Dockett

SCRANTON- Stanley Frable chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps when his country needed the most support and has never regretted a single moment. 

Stanley Frable, 99, is a retired Marine Corps veteran. Frable was born Oct. 24, 1924, in Elmhurst to the late Bertha and William Frable. He grew up in the backwoods of Elmhurst Boulevard along with four brothers: Willard, Edward, Harrell and Theodore. Stanley was the second youngest in his family.  

Frable said his family didn’t live the most lavish life. His home had very little, and it was located in the middle of nowhere. 

“It was a big house in the backwoods. We had cows, pigs and chickens, but there was no electricity. We had everything, but we had nothing.” 

Frable went to a one-room school in a town between Dunmore and Elmhurst until fifth grade. Frable said he wanted to work, and school didn’t fit his character. 

“I was a big strapping young man, so I wanted to work.”  

Frable began working when he was 13 years old, by taking care of lawns in the sod field. During the winter, Frable went into the lumber field cutting timber for a new property. Frable said the lumber work wasn’t easy, but it was what he wanted to do at the time. 

“I wanted to do it. I went in the winter to cut timber for a dollar a day and my dinner.” 

When Frable was 16 years old, he went to Wilkes-Barre to enlist in the Marine Corps, and he said he knew right away he wanted the Marine Corps. However, the process proved to be more difficult than he expected.  

Because Frable went to enlist on a Friday, the Marines couldn’t induct him until the following Monday. The officers kept Frable in Philadelphia until they were able to admit him. Frable said the area was new to him and he felt completely lost. 

“A woodsman in a town like that. I didn’t belong there,” Frable said. 

In the Marine Corps, Frable was assigned to the anti-aircraft unit. He originally wanted to be a truck driver, but Frable found out trucks were not available in the anti-aircraft unit. Instead, he went to anti-aircraft school for a year where Frable learned about different types of artillery and aircraft.  

Frable’s training consisted of firing and mastering different weapons. The officers took the anti-aircraft soldiers to the practice range very often, so soldiers could practice firing their weapons and identifying the different aircrafts. Frable said the training wasn’t easy, but it was one of the best in the military.  

“There was no fun in training. They kept us for a long time and made sure we were A-1.”  

Frable and his platoon were halted and forced to land in December 1941, during the bombing on Pearl Harbor. Frable said his platoon got stuck in crossfire while moving to a different base. He and thousands of men remained in small bunkers until everything passed over. Frable said it was a tough experience living in the bunkers. 

“Man, we were probably in there for a week. Couldn’t see anything. We only heard the bombs and explosions above us,” Frable said. 

For the next three years, Frable never returned to the states. He continued his training and fought in three invasions during the Pacific Theater in World War II. Frable’s first battle was the Invasion of the Marshall Islands. Frable said the fighting lasted eight days until the U.S. forces were able to get in and recover the island. 

“It was a quick battle. I lived on the island until a permanent base was setup,” Frable said. 

Five months later, after the Invasion of the Marshall Islands, Frable participated in recovering Guam. Like the Marshall Islands, Frable and his platoon were able to retake Guam. He said the battle was longer because there was a lot of land to win back. 

“Guam was a bigger island. If you take two Marshall Islands and put them together, you will get Guam,” Frable said. 

After battling in the Marshall Islands and Guam, Frable also was deployed in the Invasion of Peleliu. Although the U.S. was successful in retaking the island, Frable was injured in battle. During the invasion, a Japanese plane attacked his gun position. Frable said the hit was devastating and it took a toll on his body. 

“That hit ended my career. It blew me into a different world.”  

Frable was hospitalized for the rest of his military career. Doctors constantly transferred him to different locations in hopes of providing better care, but he said the doctors never knew what was wrong with his body. Despite the constant hospitalization, Frable still denied his medical discharge. Frable said it wasn’t honorable and didn’t fit his character. 

“I told them, ‘No.’ I wouldn’t allow it. I wanted to go out my way and that was an honorable discharge.”  

The Marines kept Frable around to see if they could help him, but nothing changed. Frable was granted his honorable discharge in February 1946. At the San Diego Hospital, the officers read Frable his rights and he signed his discharge. 

Frable served in the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946. He earned the Corporal rank, and Frable always remained loyal to his division and company. Frable said he enjoyed his service days and would go back if he had the chance. 

“The Marines are top tier. It was good until I got hit, but even after I still had a good life.”  

The day after Frable was discharged, he connected with his partner, the late Dorothy. Throughout his time in service, the two communicated via letter. Frable planned for dinner in her hometown, Old Forge. Frable said, the same night the two immediately decided to get married. 

“It was quick. I asked her, ‘You want to get married?’ she agreed and that’s how we got together,” Frable said. 

Frable and Dorothy went on to have three children: James, Larry Frable and Jenny Mae. 

Frable had difficulty working because he didn’t have the physical strength to do what he wanted. Instead, he got a position making venetian blinds. Frable said the job wasn’t the best, but it was good because it didn’t take a toll on his body. 

“I made 85 cents an hour and the government paid half, but I got to sit down and work,” Frable said.  

While working, Frable participated in physical therapy in hopes of regaining his form. Despite making a slight recovery, Frable said he still wasn’t the same, but he was able to walk fine. 

Later, Frable began working in aluminum, and he started to hit the market, so he decided to familiarize himself with the material, which lead to Frable making his own aluminum business. Frable said his business was named Better Homes, and it was successful locally.  

“I did anything in aluminum. I did roofing, siding, fencing, windows and doors. If you wanted something in aluminum I could help you,” Frable said. 

Frable worked in aluminum for 10 years. His career stopped after a roofing accident where Frable fell down a porch roof, injuring both his legs.  

Today, Frable resides in the Gino Merli Center. He enjoys doing and having options for different activities. Frable said Gino Merli is a beautiful place and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.  

“It’s nice here, there’s a lot of things to do every day. Nothing compares.”  

Frable often interacts with the other veterans at Gino Merli. Frable said he enjoys listening to and sharing his experiences with others.               

“There are a lot of good people here with amazing stories. They’re not mine to tell, but if you hear them, you’ll know,” Frable said. 

Frable is grateful for everything that happened in his life especially his service in the Marines. Despite the injuries, Frable said he has no regrets joining as his service gave him a wild adventure and a great life.  

“Joining the Marines made me a better man. I have a beautiful life, and I can’t ask for anything more.”