Frank Mutolo was born on January 10, 1949, in New York City, New York. He was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at Manhattan College, New York, on May 20, 1970, and went on active duty beginning June 1, 1970. Lt Mutolo next attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, from June 1970 to January 1971, and then switched to Undergraduate Navigator Training, earning his navigator wings in September 1971. He next attended F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training and Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) training at George AFB, California, from October 1971 to May 1972, followed by service as an F-4 WSO with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from July to October 1972. His next assignment was as an F-4 WSO with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from October to November 1972, and then with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Udorn from November 1972 to July 1973. Capt Mutolo's final assignment was as an F-4 WSO with the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, from August 1973 until he was killed in the crash of an F-4 in Alaska on December 17, 1973.

His Distinguished Flying Cross Citation reads:

First Lieutenant Frank M. Mutolo distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Officer over hostile territory on the night of 14 February 1973. On that date, Lieutenant Mutolo flew in a flight of fighter-bombers against an important enemy storage area. Despite darkness and heavy enemy anti-aircraft artillery fire, Lieutenant Mutolo was able to locate the target and subsequently cause one large sustained fire, two medium sustained fires, eight small sustained fires, and one medium secondary explosion. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Mutolo reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.