Frank, Patrick Henry, 1875-1950

Patrick Henry Frank (1875-1950), a private in the 23rd Infantry of the United State Army, arrived in the Philippines in 1898, participating in the Battle of Manila, overthrowing Spanish control of the Philippines and ushering in American sovereignty that would last until 1946. Frank remained as a soldier in the Philippines, serving in both the Philippine Insurrection and the Moro Wars. He chose to stay in the Philippines after he was discharged from the Army in 1902 and became a properous businessman. His sons, Samuel and Patrick James Frank, were educated first in Hong Kong and later at the San Antonio Academy, before completing their educations at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Samuel Frank married Frances Russell (1909-1982) and Patrick James married Genevieve Quinlin. The Frank brothers with their new wives returned to the Philippines where the boys joined their fathers businesses, Samuel managed the Davao Light & Power Company, and Patrick James worked for the Ford franchise of Mindanao Sales and Services. Under the gathering threat of war with Japan, Frances and Genevieve along with their children returned to the United States in April 1941. Patrick Henry and his sons remained in the Philippines, struggling with deciding whether to sell their businesses or remain in the islands. Following the outbreak of war with Japan on December 8, 1941, in the Philippines, Samuel and Patrick James were captured and imprisoned in the Davao Internment Camp. Patrick Henry Frank was captured in Manila and interned at Santo Tomás Internment Camp. The Davao camp was moved to Santa Tomás in 1944. Father and sons survived internment, illness, and starvation during the last months of the war and were liberated by American troops on February 3, 1945 and returned to the United States.