Justin Cook |The Roanoke Times

Retired Maj. Frank "Mac" McFadden stands during the national anthem before he is inducted Virginia Tech Aviation Wall of Fame — an honor that is bestowed just once a year to a Tech alumnus who has distinguished himself or herself through contribution of service and sacrifice in the fields of aviation or aerospace.

Retired Maj. Frank McFadden leaves the stage to a standing ovation after delivering a speech after being accepted into the Virginia Tech Aviation Wall of Fame. Friends and family, along with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, gathered in the Virginia Tech/Montgomery Executive Airport lobby to recognize the distinguished retired major.

| Mary Hardbarger

mary.hardbarger@roanoke.com, 381-1679

BLACKSBURG -- For a man who has done so much for so many, retired Maj. Frank "Mac" McFadden is quite modest.

"If you done it, it ain't braggin'," McFadden said, quoting one of his favorite phrases by Jerome Hanna "Dizzy" Dean, a former major league pitcher.

McFadden, 88, is quick to recall his service in the Navy, which he entered in 1942. His mind is sharp and filled with stories and images of wars past.

Every story told, every mission served and every award received by the man can be documented by the Marine Corps -- where he was commissioned in 1943 and something that McFadden feels very strongly about.

"I hate the idea of embellishment," he said. "My record is what it is."

And his record is remarkable.

On Tuesday, the Roanoke native was inducted into the Virginia Tech Aviation Wall of Fame -- an honor that is bestowed just once a year to a Tech alumnus who has distinguished himself or herself through contribution of service and sacrifice in the fields of aviation or aerospace.

McFadden graduated from Tech in 1948 after serving four years in the Navy as a dive bomber pilot in World War II and later served in the Korean War.

Friends and family, along with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, gathered in the Virginia Tech/Montgomery Executive Airport lobby to recognize the distinguished retired major.

For the past 12 years, the corps has handed out this honor to deserving alumni in conjunction with the birthday of the Air Force -- which turned 62 this year.

According to Capt. Jacob Leck of the corps, McFadden's application for the award was chosen out of 10 to 15 others. He was nominated by retired Capt. Norman Jasper, who serves in a chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart with McFadden.

"There was a particular incident during Major McFadden's service that really stood out to the board and set him apart from the rest," Leck said.

The incident referred to by Leck took place on Feb. 14, 1945.

On a bombing mission, McFadden's plane was hit by shrapnel, injuring him and his rear gunner and disabling the plane.

As a result of his quick thinking, knowledge of the plane and his ability to "put to use what he had learned," McFadden said he saved the plane as well as their lives.

When asked later why he didn't abandon the plane, McFadden responded, "We always stick together."

McFadden was later awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds. He has also received four Distinguished Flying Crosses and many other medals commemorating his achievements.

"Words do not adequately express my gratitude for the award I received," McFadden said at the Wall of Fame ceremony.

Along with his often devastating memories of war come some of McFadden's fondest memories of his family. He met his second wife, Betty, at Brandon Oaks -- the retirement home in Roanoke where they met and now reside. He has four children and three stepchildren.

"I'm a human being just like everybody else," he said. "I'm just plain ol' Mac."

Aside from his participation in many military-based organizations, McFadden is an active member of his church and Brandon Oaks.

"There [Brandon Oaks], they like to call me the 'first floor house mother,' " McFadden said.

More than 20 residents of the retirement home traveled on a bus to join the major at the induction ceremony.

"I was so honored," McFadden said.