Marine Sgt. Frank J. World

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Sgt. Frank J. World, 25, of Buffalo, N.Y.

Sgt. World was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died April 1, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

As family looked on, a military honor guard accepted the body of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Frank World at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station on Friday. World, of Buffalo, was killed April 1st in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The 25-year-old Marine Sergeant was on his third tour of duty overseas, according to his brother.

The plane bearing Sgt. World, who was killed a week ago in Afghanistan, landed at noon at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and then his flag-draped coffin was escorted by state police and a Buffalo Fire Department truck to Amigone Funeral Home, 2600 Sheridan Drive, Town of Tonawanda. His older brother, Larry, is a Buffalo firefighter.

“I’m happy that my hero is finally going to be home. The support from everybody has been unbelievable, and I’m glad my husband is getting the recognition he deserves,” Beth World said.

Sgt. Frank World left for Afghanistan a week before Christmas, about two weeks before his second child was born. He told his wife he would make it back from war, but his life ended on Thursday in Afghanistan.

Frank World was a man of strength. Not only the kind of strength that enabled him to carry a big machine gun into combat in Iraq and Afghanistan for the Marines, but also to support his family in every sense of the word.

Beth World, Frank's widow, said, "He was my support system. His strength was unbelievable. Not just physical."

Sgt. Frank World lost his life in Afghanistan to a roadside explosive device. He was on his third tour of of war duty. He never got to see his 3-month-old daughter Lilly.

"He already had a nickname picked out for her. He was going to call her Lilly Bear and he said that she was going to have him wrapped around her fingers," said Beth.

Like his late father Cruz, a Marine who was wounded in Vietnam when a grenade exploded, Frank was a warrior, but also the backbone of his family.

Frank's brother Larry World said, "When there were tasks to be attended to, they were attended to, but when it was time for family, friends, wife and children, he just morphed into this different kind of guy that was just contagious."

"That was his big thing is to follow in his father's footsteps, and he did," said Frank's mom, Susan Missana.

His sister, Candy Rodriguez, said, "I just miss and love him so much, and he's an awesome person, and he will always be my hero."

"People like my husband have to have their lives taken so we can be free, but I'm very proud of him," said Beth.

Sgt. World was killed last week by an improvised explosive device while he was traveling in a light-armored vehicle in Marjah, the site of a major offensive by Marines against the Taliban more than a month ago.

In addition to being a member of the Marine Corps, which he joined after graduating from Riverside Institute of Technology in 2003, he had achieved a black belt in tae kwon do, learned how to play the guitar on his own and enjoyed rock climbing, writing poetry and songs, and pencil drawing.

In the Marines, he was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

World's family says his armored vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb around 5 a.m. Afghanistan time while he was on patrol for drug traffickers. His wife tells 2 On Your Side her husband was a member of the 2nd Marine Division LAR (light armored reconnaissance) Alpha Company based out of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina

World left for Afghanistan back in December. He previously served two tours in Iraq. He had served in the Marines for six years and was scheduled to come home in May.

World was a graduate of Riverside Institute of Technology. He leaves behind a wife, three year old son and a two month old daughter who he was never able to meet.

Beloved husband of Beth M. (nee Zielinski) World; loving father of Jacob J.C. and Lilly M.J. World; adored son of Susan (nee Brown) World-Missana and the late Cruz World; caring brother of Larry J. (Gina) World and Candy C. (Eric) Rodriguez; cherished grandson of Frances (nee Garcia) and the late Frank Thomas; dear uncle of Kaila, Cecily, Adria, Francisco and Alero; special son-in-law of David A. and Theresa (nee Markoff) Zielinski; dear brother-in-law of Sarah A. Zielinski; also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friend of many.

Marine Sgt. Frank J. World was killed in action on 4/1/10.