We are all capable of achieving extraordinary accomplishments in our lives. Captain Frank Parisi, a Throggs Neck resident and Marine Corp veteran is living proof of this sentiment.
Born in Throggs Neck, Captain Frank Parisi attended Villa Maria Academy. In 2000, he graduated Regis High School and afterwards enrolled into the United States Naval Academy.
Graduating with distinction from the academy in 2004, Parisi earned the General Charles C. Krulak Award and the Merril F. Collier Leadership Award during his enrollment. Amid his summer training, he graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia and participated in the Naval Academy Boxing Team as a two-time Brigade Boxing Champion and a one-time National Champion.
On May 28, 2004, Parisi was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and in December, completed his basic training at Quantico, Virginia.
In January, he attended Aviation Proflight Indoctrination at Pensacola, Florida’s Naval Air Station. Completing primary flight training and advanced jet strike training in December 2006, First Lieutenant Parisi became a Naval Aviator in Meridian, Mississippi.
He began training at Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 and the AV-8B Harrier Fleet Replacement Squadron in Cherry Point, North Carolina. In April 2008, Parisi was assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 542 and was promoted to captain in July.
He reported for duty aboard the U.S.S. Bataan to serve with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. During this, Parisi flew the Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron 542 Detachment Alpha.
Training in Greece and Kuwait upon deployment, he engaged in Operation Bright Star in Egypt. In May 2010, the captain was involved in Capella Strike, a joint U.S.-British exercise on Her Majesty Ship Ark Royal.
From July 2010 until January 2011, Parisi was once again deployed with MAS 542, this time with the 31st MEU in Operation Invincible Spirit to support of U.S. and South Korea exercises aboard the U.S.S. Essex from September through November. He departed the Harrier fleet as an AV-8B Division Leader, AV-8B Weapons Training Officer, AV-8B Training Landing Signals Officer, however still retaining his other mission essential qualifications. It is reported the captain spent approximately 450 hours piloting the Harrier during his career.
Following his departure, he reported to 2D Marine Special Operations Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in June 2011 to assist as Air Officer. Sent out to Badghis Province in Afghanistan from January until June 2012 as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Parisi served with Marine Special Operations Teams 8231 in Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon return, he reported to the 3D MSOB as the Firepower Control Platoon Officer in Charge.
After several years serving our country’s military, Captain Parisi left active duty and now serves as a member of the Individual Ready Reserve. He possesses a highly-decorated resume and is the recipient of many prestigious recognitions including the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and the Global War on Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals. Despite this, Captain Parisi remains humble and is best described by all as ‘a neighborhood kid’.
Parisi will serve as grand marshal for the soon approaching Sunday, November 9’s 30th Annual Throggs Neck Veterans Day Parade.
“It’s an absolute honor to be able to represent both the Throggs Neck community where I was born and raised as well as the veterans who live here,” expressed Parisi.
“He’s very honored to be in this year’s march,” revealed James Parisi, Captain Parisi’s father. “He’s looking forward to being the grand marshal and serving as a representative for those soldiers he served alongside during his time in the military.”
For more information or to learn how you can honor our veterans, please see our special pull-out supplement on pages 33 through 52.
