Staff Sgt. Francis Drake was born in Chestertown, NY. He enlisted with the US Marines and then the US Navy. He switched because he wanted to travel more. He was stationed in Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Bermuda, and Italy. He worked as an aircraft mechanic and test cell supervisor, which later helped him land jobs with Ford Aerospace and Martin Marietta Space Systems once he retired from military life. He was a member of the US Navy Rifle Team, and received commendations for the Cuban Missile Crisis and Good Conduct. He currently lives in Lacombe.
