Francis R. (Frank) Myers of Maumee, a retired Owens-Illinois executive who had served in a unique U.S. Army unit in World War II, died Friday at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, on Detroit Avenue. He was 91.
He died of apparent congestive heart failure, his son, David Myers, said.
A University of Toledo graduate, the elder Mr. Myers retired in the early 1980s as manager of financial analysis from Owens-Illinois after 33 years at the company, initially as a financial analyst.
During World War II, he served in the so-called Ghost Army in Europe.
The unit, officially the U.S. Army 23rd Headquarters Special Troop composed of 1,200 hand-picked GIs, is not well known because it was kept classified for 40 years.
The “ghosts” were trained and equipped to fool the Nazis in battle. With rubber tanks, inflatable Jeeps, fake airfields, mannequin soldiers, and sound and radio effects, the phantom soldiers participated in 20 major battles across Europe, using specific skills to lure the enemy to areas without any American troops.
“He was very shy about his war experience,” his son said. “He never talked about it at all.”
“Family came first for him. He was a very hardworking man. He was well-loved by his many friends. Always went along with people, always a jokester,” he said.
Mr. Myers was born June 3, 1926, in Toledo to Louis and Elnora Myers.
In 1944, he graduated from Macomber High School and joined the Army.
Mr. Myers told The Blade in a 2017 interview that the unit’s mission was not revealed from training at Fort Devens, Texas, until arrival in Europe. He was assigned to drive a truck loaded with the limited artillery the unit was allowed.
After serving nearly two years in the Ghost Army, Mr. Myers was discharged at Fort Dix, N.J., in 1946.
He then returned to Toledo and attended UT on the GI bill, which prepared him for the position of financial analyst at OI, where he was also the softball fast-pitch pitcher for the company’s team.
In retirement, he and his wife, Louise Myers, traveled to all 50 states and to Australia.
In addition to traveling, he enjoyed baseball, pitching horseshoes, and playing pool, ping-pong, and cards.
He was a member of the Elks in Maumee.
Mr. Myers was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard and James Myers; and sister, Marcella Shiple.
Surviving is his wife of 66 years, Louise Myers; son, David Myers; daughters, Denise Holler and Diane Weik; three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Walter Funeral Home. There will be no funeral service.
The family suggests tributes to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
Contact Mike Sigov at sigov@theblade.com, 419-724-6089, or on Twitter @mikesigovblade.
First Published April 10, 2018, 4:00 a.m.
