Ron Frost is The Madill Record’s next Hometown Hero. Frost began his military journey in February 1968 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, just weeks after the Tet Offensive.
Hiscommissionwasdueto serving four years in ROTC at Cameron University and Oklahoma State University, along with summer training at Fort Sill. His first assignment took him to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., for Adjutant General training.
The journey to report for duty was treacherous—he drove through one of the worst ice storms in state history to avoid being AWOL (Absent Without Leave). Over the next nine weeks, Frost underwent rigorous training, including early morning runs in deep snow and simulated combat exercises.
Initially assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, his orders were unexpectedly changed, sending him instead to the Military District of Washington's Public Information Office in D.C. Arriving just after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he witnessed a city in turmoil, with riots and National Guard troops patrolling the streets.
In Washington, Frost took on high-profile responsibilities. He became editor of the Pentagram News, a publication for 35,000 Pentagon employees, working alongside top journalists, including a former Harvard Crimson editor. His role also involved hosting Medal of Honor recipients and their families, escorting them to White House ceremonies for the Medal of Honor presentation by the President. He also did the introductions to Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon.
An Army photographer recorded all the activities and Frost was responsible for supervising the preparation of the photo albums for the recipients’ loved ones. Frost played a key role in major military events, including the funerals of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
He said that one of his most memorable moments came when he received a FLASH telegraph announcing Eisenhower’sdeath—one of only three times in history the designation had been used. He oversaw media accreditation for the funeral, managing requests from top news outlets worldwide, including Paris Match.
Acallfromthen-California Governor Ronald Reagan, inquiring about seating arrangements, was just one of many high-profile interactions. Later transferred to Fort Belvoir, Va., Frost welcomed soldiers returning from Vietnam, interviewing them and assisting in their reassignment.
Many veterans faced hostility upon returning home, Frost said that made the experience deeply humbling for him. After his service ended in 1970, Frost pursued a distinguished career in corporate communications, holding leadership roles at Western Electric - now known as AT&T, Frito-Lay, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian University, among others.
Now retired in Marshall County, he remains active in his church and community. Frost’s Military Awards include the Army Commendation Medal,NationalDefense Service Medal and the 1st U.S. Army Small Bore Rifle Champion. Frost’s service placed him at the heart of historic events, shaping his career and leaving him with a lifetime of remarkable experiences.