Owatonna Navy sailor dies in El Salvador

A Steele County sailor serving in the U.S. Navy has died.
Hunter Alexander Frank, a Naval Aircrewman Operator Third Class, assigned to Patrol Squadron 26, was found deceased in his residence in Comalapa, El Salvador, according to Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, public affairs officer with the U.S. Navy. She said “it is with a heavy heart” that the Navy confirms Frank’s death.
Cragg said details surrounding the incident are still under investigation. However, she did confirm Frank was not killed in combat.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family, friends and shipmates of our sailor,” Cragg said.
Frank, 20, enlisted with the Navy on June 21, 2018, according to Navy records. He performed his recruit training in Great Lakes, Ill., before going to Pensacola, Fla. for aviation training in August 2018. He had been assigned to the patrol squadron in Jacksonville, Fla. since last December. He had been serving in El Salvador since March.
Decorations and honors received by Frank include the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal and Marksman 9mm Pistol Ribbon.
He graduated from Owatonna High School in June 2018.
Frank is the son of Annette Duncan of Medford and Chad Frank of Waseca. Duncan is the president of the Steele County United Way. 
Funeral services were held today (Wednesday) at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Meriden. The Minnesota Honor Guard performed full military honors.
A full obituary can be found on page A14.