Donald Gordon Fraasa - Obituary

onald Gordon Fraasa, 96, a resident of the Edgewater area since 1975, passed away on May 23, 2021 at Ginger Cove in Annapolis. He was born on September 30, 1924 in Dayton, KY to the late Charles F. and Annora Fahey Fraasa. After graduating from Norwood High School in January 1942, Donald attended the University of Cincinnati for a year before joining the U.S. Navy V-5 program. In 1943, he attended Purdue University for his sophomore year of college and then, as a Naval Cadet, went through the Navy flight training program, winning his wings and a commission as Ensign in 1945. When Donald received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, he resigned his commission and became a Midshipmen. He graduated from the Academy with distinction in 1950, having served as Class President and a Regimental Commander. In 1951, after completing refresher flight training, Donald was assigned to Flight Squadron Thirteen flying FAV Corsairs before transitioning to the jet F9F Cougars. He made two operational cruises to the Mediterranean while with the squadron. In 1954, Donald was ordered to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1956. He continued his education at the California Institute of Technology and, in 1957, received the graduate degree of Professional Aeronautical Engineer specializing in hypersonics. Donald was then assigned to Heavy Attack Squadron Eight in Whidbey Island, WA where he flew the A3D Skywarrior, a nuclear delivery aircraft. He made two operational deployments to West Pac while with Heavy Eight. In 1960, Donald was selected to go to the Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, MD. After graduating, he was assigned to the Carrier suitability Branch of Flight Test Division where his proudest achievement was taking the Mach 2 A3J Vigilante nuclear delivery aircraft through its initial carrier suitability trials. Donald left Flight Test in 1962 when he was selected to attend the French Naval War College and the French Armed Forces Staff College in Paris, France. In 1964, he was assigned to the Senior Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe in Paris as a staff officer. In 1966, Donald was ordered to Training Squadron Twenty-Six, an F11F Tigercat squadron, in which he served as Executive Officer and subsequently as Commanding Officer. In 1968, he was ordered to the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea aboard which, as Air Officer, Donald made two combat cruises to Vietnam. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Bronze Star Medal, a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Bronze Star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Donald was ordered to the Naval Air Systems Command in 1970 as Project Manager for Support Aircraft. There he was instrumental in the procurement of the Navy’s C9B jet transport aircraft. He received orders to the Naval Electronics System command in 1972 as Project Manager of Remote Sensor Systems. In that capacity, he oversaw the procurement and installation of security systems at strategic U.S. Naval bases worldwide. In 1974, he became the Executive Assistant to the Commander, Naval Electronics Systems Command. After 31 years of honorable active service, Donald retired from the Navy in 1976. After retirement, Donald pursued a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the University of Maryland which he received in 1978. While studying toward that degree, he also taught undergraduate finance at the university. Donald served two terms as Commander, Dyer-Annapolis Chapter, Military Order of the World Wars and one term as the Order’s Department Commander. He was also a member of the U.S. Naval Institute. He enjoyed fine music, gardening, woodworking and people watching. Most of all he loved his family. Donald is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Alice Elizabeth Fraasa, one daughter, Sue Fraasa Cook, stepsons, Jack and Skip Schaeffer, stepdaughter Diane Clark. A Memorial Committal Service will be held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 10:00am at the USNA Columbarium.