TACAMO Fallen in DEC 2024 Frank Hilton

November 30, 1941 – December 16, 2024

Francis "Frank" Warren Hilton, Jr., 83, of Severna Park, Maryland, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2024. He was born on November 30, 1941, in Albany, NY. Frank grew up leading his brothers on epic adventures in and around Albany. At the same time, he dreamed of becoming a Naval Officer and a pilot. He left Albany in 1959 to join the Naval Academy class of 1963 ("Quality") and achieved his dream of becoming a naval aviator. While on a summer cruise at the Naval Academy, a chance encounter in Virginia Beach, Virginia, led him to the love of his life, Pam.

After commissioning as a Naval Officer, Frank reported for flight training in Pensacola, Florida, and earned his "wings of gold" in 1964. After two P-3 Orion squadron tours, he attended the Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, California before reporting to the USS Oriskany (CVA 34) as the communications officer. He served on the Oriskany during two combat tours in Vietnam. After another California-based P-3 squadron tour, Frank packed up the family and headed east to attend the Naval War College, command a C-130 squadron, serve as executive officer of a helicopter carrier during the 1983 Lebanon crisis, and command communications stations in Iceland and Italy. After a final tour at the Pentagon, Frank retired as a Navy Captain and got his law degree.

In his second career, Frank practiced law and served on the Rockville (Maryland) City Planning Commission. But Frank's "real" and favorite second career was entertaining his grandkids and showering them and Pam with love. He was a community leader and an active parishioner at St. Martins-in-the-field Episcopal Church in Severna Park.

In addition to a degree from the United States Naval Academy, Frank obtained post-graduate degrees from the Naval Post Graduate School, the Naval War College, the University of Southern California, and the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Frank loved to read books (but only non-fiction), study history, and travel with Pam and his grandchildren. His favorite times were yearly family beachweeks and watching Navy football.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Pamela Miller Hilton, of Severna Park, MD; his three children, Scott Hilton (Judie) of Groton, MA, Greg Hilton (Kathleen) of Severna Park, MD, and Laura English (Ed) of Falls Church, VA; and his six grandchildren, Elizabeth, Sarah, Andrew, Jack, Devin, and Nolan, He is also survived by his brothers Roger, Mark, and Stephen.

A private service inurnment was at the United States Naval Academy.

The TACAMO Community extends its sympathy and prayer for peace to Captain Hilton's family and friends during this time of passing.