Frank Yaconelli's early life was marked by migration to the United States with his parents at the tender age of one, settling initially in Boston. As the eldest of 12 siblings, Frank's childhood was shaped by the necessity to quit school after completing the 6th grade due to his family's financial struggles. In a bid to contribute to the family's income, Frank and his younger brother turned to a life of "street musicianship".
However, the outbreak of World War I saw Frank, who was still underage, enlist in the army and serve in the 92 Aero Squadron, primarily operating out of the United Kingdom. During his service, Frank, along with many other soldiers, acquired naturalized citizenship.
Following his military career, Frank relocated to Hollywood and embarked on a dual career in motion pictures and vaudeville in the mid-1920s. Alongside his brother, Lou Yaconelli, also known as Earl Douglas, they founded a motion picture company in the 1920s, only to lose it during the Great Depression and the advent of "talkies".
Frank's remarkable service to his country continued, as he served in both World War II and the Korean conflict as a USO Tour Director and performer. His vaudeville act took him to various key areas of conflict, where American service men were stationed. At one point, he spent six months in the same USO group as the renowned Bob Hope.
In recognition of his tireless dedication to unselfish service and entertainment, Frank Yaconelli was posthumously awarded a Senate Resolution for his "lifetime of devotion to people all over the world, particularly for his many fine public services".
