Frank T. Higgins ’43-2

Frank T. Higgins ’43 -2 crossed the bar on August 24, 2020, at Brittany Pointe in Lansdale PA. He died peacefully, after holding hands, late into the night, with his beloved wife of 75 years, Janet.

Frank was born in his grandmother’s home in Milbridge, Maine in 1925 and raised in Jonesport and Machias by loving parents and family closely tied to the sea. After becoming an Eagle Scout, and graduating from high school in 1942, he attended the Maine Maritime Academy as a midshipman. He graduated in October 1943 as a Commissioned deck officer-navigator with the rank of ensign in the Naval Reserve. Navigators in those days were trained with the use of a sextant and the stars to chart their voyages. He received his Second Mate’s License and a promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade.

Within a few days of graduation, Frank was onboard the bridge of US Merchant ship SS Sahale heading out to Halifax. Voyages on the Sahale were followed by those on the Margaret Lykes, and tankers, SwiftScout, Fairfax and Tule Canyon. Frank sailed as the second and third mate on the T2 tankers carrying aviation fuel to the fronts in both the European and the Pacific theaters of war.

Nazis U-boats targeted merchant ships, especially fuel tankers, to blockade supplies to Allied forces in Europe. North Atlantic convoys assembled in Halifax for the North Atlantic in convoys. Usually, Frank boarded ships in Boston, New York City or Markus Hook. The tankers picked up fuel at various locations including Aruba and Venezuela, and then sailed to Halifax where convoys were assembled for the trips to Europe. Naval Armed guards were onboard and he, along with his fellow mariners received training in gunnery but this was little protection from torpedoes.

Frank’s ships sailed along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico, where German subs patrolled the waters. Their silhouettes against the city lights along the shore at night made them easy targets. U.S. ships were only lightly armed, and not provided Naval escorts in this area, resulting in a staggering loss of mariners, their ships and cargo.

Frank’s trips to the Pacific zone were usually alone without escort. His trips on the Tule Canyon, and Fairfax carried 150,000 gallons of aviation fuel from Aruba and other ports to supply all branches of service in the Philippines, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, and New Guinea. The imminent threat from bombers, raiders, submarine i-boats and kamikaze aircraft caused the crews to live in constant fear of surprise attacks but they carried on their missions.  General Douglas MacArthur credited mariners with playing a vital role in the liberation of the Philippines in 1945, holding “no branch in higher esteem than the Merchant Marine.”

After the war, Frank stayed in service for six more months to bring troops home and deliver supplies to rebuild devastated areas. Frank never expressed bitterness that the WWII US Merchant Marines were denied GI Benefits and were not recognized as veterans until 1988.

Frank met Janet, a U.S. Navy Wave stationed in Washington DC, under a Christmas tree in the lobby of the Commodore Hotel in New York City on Christmas Eve. They married after the war and Frank went on to earn a degree in Civil Engineering from University of Maine in 1950.  He utilized his engineering his skills in geotechnical field consulting while working for state highway departments that helped build the New Jersey and Michigan interstates. His work as a Civil Engineer consultant required frequent relocation so the couple lived in seven states and formed life-long friendships with their neighbors and colleagues along the way. They adopted three children from the Lutheran Charities in Detroit and Cleveland.

Frank’s successes were not just his service in WWII or as a Civil Engineer, but as a husband and father and he was truly exceptional at both. He loved creating perfect places for kids to play and be creative. He always made the time for others, especially Janet and the kids whether it be trips to visit grandparents, state parks, swimming, building a tree-fort, stargazing, drying the dishes, or a laugh with Janet.  He had a knack for carpentry, gardening and making blueberry pancakes. He loved watching birds, providing a home to lonely dogs and cats, and in return, they loved to be around him.

It was not until his final years that Frank spoke about experiences onboard the ships at sea during the during WWII.  He recalled the time The Fairfax, with her cargo of aviation fuel, lost engine power three days out from Britain.  The Convoy had to keep moving, leaving the Fairfax behind and doomed. In darkness and quiet, to avoid detection from U-boats, the engine crew worked furiously through the night to repair the engine and by morning they were underway again. They “sailed fast” through the day and night without lights and caught up to the convoy only to be challenged when they finally approached.  By signaling they were an allied vessel and convincing the commander they were permitted to re-enter the convoy

Another story describes eerie night watches in the Arctic Seas when St. Elmo’s fire eerily appeared on the ship. Frank also fondly recalled the King Neptune ceremonies on the equator.

The Merchant Marines played a vital role in role in the outcome of WWII. The Maine Maritime Academy stepped up to the call to provide training as WWII loomed. The competence, dedication and courage shown by their mariners helped change the course of history by enabling the Allies to win the war against Hitler’s and Hirohito’s brutal empires, a powerful legacy.

Fair winds and following seas Frank, although you’re gone you will never be forgotten and will live on in our hearts and memories forever