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Airman Second Class Ruth Elaine Grabner Frost

A young blonde woman in an Air Force dress uniform.
  • Unit: 5th Air Base Group (SAG)
  • Date of Birth: September 3, 1934
  • Entered the Military: February 24, 1956
  • Date of Death: February 18, 2021
  • Hometown: Umatilla County, Oregon
  • Place of Death: Omaha, Nebraska
  • Cemetery: Section 8, Grave 412. Omaha National Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska
Contributed by Eva Kuhn and Emiri Siefken
Mentored by Mrs. Sarah Burr
Syracuse Middle School
2024/2025

Early Life

From the pastures of the Northwest to the field of Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Ruth Elaine Grabner lived a simple life before embarking on an adventure. She was born in the rolling hills on the border of Oregon and Washington on September 3, 1934. Her father, Johann Gräbner, immigrated to the region from Austria and met her mother, Anna Bade. Here, John Grabner (he changed both his first and last names) became a naturalized citizen after his marriage to Anna. John built a home around his sheep herding and farming lifestyle. Anna, who was fluent in German and Spanish, took care of the home and the children. 

During her youth, Ruth spent her days at the area Umapine County School, originally named the Vincent School, with her siblings, Carol, Yvonne, and John. From helping in the kitchen, working on her academics, and an occasional skunk run-in, Ruth lived a very quiet life in the country. Before graduating high school, Ruth, also known as Barbara to her family, left to take secretarial courses in shorthand and typing. Despite these pursuits, there was a love of adventure that would become more apparent in the next chapter of her life. 

Ruth Grabner pictured with her siblings and their little sheep, Bo Peep. Courtesy of Nona Yakes.
Ruth and her siblings attended primary school at the Umapine Public School. The school is located between Milton, Oregon and Freewater, Oregon where. Ruth is noted with an “x” in the front row. Courtesy of Nona Yakes.
Grabner earned her GED before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1956. Courtesy of Nona Yakes.

Homefront

Not quite urban, not quite rural, Umatilla County, Oregon grew from agricultural roots to national connections. In 1950, the population of Umatilla, Oregon was roughly 42,000 people. From the 1940 U.S. census data, the population almost doubled in size. During the 1940s, agriculture was still popular among the rural farmers but soon railroads and a canning industry developed through town. As the roads grew busy, truckers began using the interstate to travel through small communities. Near Umatilla, the communities of Milton and Freewater consolidated in 1947. Here sheep herding slipped away, replaced by wine production and tourism.  

While communities grew, the response to world events was relayed on a weekly basis. Newspaper clippings of the time displayed chronological happenings of the Korean War. From the changes on the domestic front to the influence of political pamphlets, much of America was included in the fight overseas. Across the Pacific Ocean, the citizens of Oregon remained informed on the warfront events. 

Detailed events from each month from the year 1950 in regards to the Korean War. La Grande Observer, January 2, 1951.
Newspaper article detailing propaganda efforts in the Korean War. La Grande Observer, August 8, 1950.
Citizens across Washington, Oregon and America were asked to conserve materials for the Korean War effort. The Eugene Guard, January 7, 1952.

Military Experience

Leaving the country life, Ruth sought adventure and travel. To accomplish this goal, she earned her GED and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on February 24, 1956 in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. The first stop on this life journey was Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Here Ruth continued to train in the secretarial and communication sector.  

After graduating from basic training, Ruth was stationed at Manhattan Beach Air Force Station in Brooklyn, New York. Here she met her first love, Alvin Kaczor. In a whirlwind romance, Ruth was swept off her feet and married a short time later to become Mrs. Kaczor.  

Before long, Ruth and Alvin were transferred to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. This was Ruth’s final transfer. Stationed at Headquarters as part of the 5th Air Base Group, Ruth earned the title of Communications Central Specialist. She worked at the Base Communication’s Teletype Center where she processed messages during the Korean War. Ruth received a special clearance for this job.  

After this first adventure, Ruth was ready to set out on the next journey into motherhood. In October 1957, Ruth was honorably discharged to tend to the important role of raising children.  

Ruth Grabner attended Basic Training at Travis Air Force Base in Texas in 1956. Courtesy of Nona Yakes.
Ruth Grabner and fellow classmates training in communications, July 17, 1956. Courtesy of Nona Yakes.
A newspaper clipping from the family’s collection of Ruth Kaczor’s service as a Communications Central Specialist, June 1957. Courtesy of Nona Yakes.

Veteran Experience

Ruth Kaczor continued to serve both her family and the military after her discharge from the Air Force. Alvin, Ruth’s husband, would take them on this second journey in adventure.  The family moved every two years. They lived at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, McClellan Air Force Base in California, Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. 

While the family frequently moved, Ruth kept family traditions and comforts alive. From her home cooked meals to the small camping adventures, Ruth dutifully served her children: Nona, Dianna, and John. When not helping on base, she worked in the schools her children attended. At Offutt Air Force Base, she worked for a pathologist on base. As her children started on their own paths in the world, she returned to her past military strengths.  

When their paths slowly separated, Ruth and Alvin pursued their next adventures apart. Ruth Kaczor met Douglas Frost while still in Omaha and they married. Douglas was also enlisted in the Air Force. Ruth Grabner Frost’s journey continued, this time stationed in South Korea. Due to her special clearance and skills from her communication experience, she held a clerical position for a South Korean general. 

During her time stationed in South Korea, Ruth sent pictures and gifts home to her, now adult, children. They enjoyed a piece of South Korean culture until their mother returned. 

While stationed in South Korea, Grabner Frost used her communication skills in the office of a South Korean general. Courtesy of Dianna Kaczor.
Ruth and Douglas Frost, stationed in South Korea. Courtesy of Dianna Kaczor.

Commemoration

From service to family, Ruth returned to a quiet life back in Omaha, Nebraska until her death on February 18, 2021. She died just six months before her husband, Douglas. They are buried at Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska. Many memories her children and grandchild hold came from her heart: the homemade pies, bread, and Golumpki. The handcrafted stockings, doll clothes, and art. Ruth Frost left a legacy of love of adventure, perseverance, and the comforts of home. 

Ruth Frost is remembered for her creative vision and handcrafted items. Courtesy of Dianna Kaczor.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

1950 Census of Population Advance Report. April 11, 1951. Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/pc-08/pc-8-36.pdf. 

“Births at Fort Wainwright.” Fairbanks Daily News-Miner [Fairbanks, AK] March 7, 1961.  Newspapers.com (11740622). 

Dianna Kaczor. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. Digital image. https://ancestryclassroom.com.  

“Douglas Alan and Ruth Elaine Frost.” Omaha World Herald [Omaha, NE], September 19, 2021. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/omaha/name/douglas-frost-obituary?id=6515511. 

“Farewell ‘50- Eventful Year Passes in Review.” La Grande Observer [La Grande, Oregon], January 2, 1951. Newspapers.com (134168284). 

John George Grabner. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. Digital images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.  

John Grabner to Anna B. Bade. Washington, U.S. Marriage Records, 1854-2013. Digital images. https://ancestryclassroom.com. 

John Grabner. New York, U.S., State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794-1943. Digital images. https://ancestryclassroom.com. 

Johann Grabner. U.S. Naturalization Records, 1840-1957. Digital images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.  

Kaczor, Dianna. Telephone interview. December 9, 2024. 

Kaczor Family Records. 1980-2021. Courtesy of Dianna Kaczor.

Kaczor Family Records. 1934-2021. Courtesy of Nona Yakes.

Nona Kaczor. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. Digital image. https://ancestryclassroom.com.  

Oregon. Umatilla County. 1940 U.S. Census. Digital images. https://ancestryclasroom.com. 

Oregon. Umatilla County. 1950 U.S. Census. Digital images. https://ancestryclasroom.com. 

“Pamphlets fly like bullets in Korea, where hot war is also made big battle of propaganda.” La Grande Observer [LaGrande, Oregon]. October 8, 1950. Newspapers.com (135742991).

Ruth Elaine Kaczor, DD-214, Department of the Air Force. National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.

Washington. Walla Walla County. 1930 U.S. Census. Digital images. https://ancestryclasroom.com. 

Yakes, Nona. Email interview with daughter. December 21, 2024. 

Secondary Sources

“About Us.” City of Milton-Freewater. Accessed November 12, 2024. https://www.mfcity.com/community/page/about-us. 

Davis, Ervin. “AFSC Directory.” Preserving Our History. Updated February 2001. Accessed January 27, 2025. http://www.preservingourhistory.com/afsc.html. 

“MIlton-Freewater.” The Oregon Encyclopedia. Accessed November 12, 2024. https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/milton-freewater/. 

“Ruth Elaine Grabner Frost.” Find a Grave. Updated July 16, 2021. Accessed November 18, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/229639097/ruth-elaine-frost. 

“Ruth Elaine Frost.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed February 28, 2024. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/RUTHELAINEFROST/9d9db0. 

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.