Charles D. Franklin

Charles D. Franklin
Franklin as commander of the First United States Army in September, 1984.
Born (1931-12-11)December 11, 1931
Hugo, Missouri
Died March 16, 1992(1992-03-16) (aged 60)
Falls Church, Virginia
Buried Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1953–1987
Rank Lieutenant general
Commands held 116th Attack Helicopter Company, 269th Combat Aviation Battalion, 25th Infantry Division
2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division
9th Infantry Division Artillery
First Army
Battles/wars Korean war
Vietnam War
Awards Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal

Charles D. Franklin (December 11, 1931 -- March 16, 1992) was an officer in the United States Army who retired as a lieutenant general.

Biography

Charles Dale Franklin was born in Hugo, Missouri on December 11, 1931, the son of Jewell Franklin and Ethel (Shipman) Franklin.[1][2][3] He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1953 with a degree in agriculture and received his second lieutenant's commission in the Field Artillery through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.[1]

He graduated from the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in 1953, and then served with the 1st Cavalry Division during the Korean War.[1][4] He completed the Artillery Officer Advanced Course in 1959.[1] In 1962, he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.[1][4] He graduated from the United States Army War College in 1970.[5]

His assignments included tours in Vietnam during the Vietnam War; he commanded first the 116th Attack Helicopter Company, 269th Combat Aviation Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, and later 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division.[2][6][7][8] He served as commander of the 9th Infantry Division Artillery, chief of staff of the 9th Infantry Division, and deputy chief and chief of legislative liaison in the office of the Secretary of the Army.[9][2] In 1984 he succeeded Donald E. Rosenblum as commander of First United States Army at Fort Meade, Maryland.[2] He was succeeded in this post by James E. Thompson Jr. and retired in 1987.[2]

Awards and decorations

  Master Army Aviator Badge
  Army Staff Identification Badge
Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Silver Star
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
 Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with Award numerals "23"
Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
 Meritorious Unit Commendation
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Silver star
Vietnam Service Medal with silver service star
Army Service Ribbon
  Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 2
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm
 Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
 Vietnam Campaign Medal

[2] In 1989, he received the honorary degree of LL.D. from the University of Missouri.[10]

He died of heart ailments at Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia on March 16, 1992.[2][3] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 30, Grave 246-RH.[3][11]

Survivors included his wife, Pat and three children, Charles, Debby, and Susan.[2][3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 U.S. Army Register.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Charles Franklin Dies at 60".
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Obituary, Charles D. Franklin".
  4. 1 2 "Captain C. D. Franklin Completes Course".
  5. ↑ "Mid-Missourians in America's Armed Services".
  6. ↑ Army Executive Biographies.
  7. ↑ "The 269th Combat Aviation Battalion".
  8. ↑ "Decorated; Silver Star".
  9. ↑ "Commanders Update".
  10. ↑ "University of Missouri Honorary Degrees".
  11. ↑ "Burial record, Charles D. Franklin".

Sources

Newspapers

  • "Captain C. D. Franklin Completes Course". Sunday News and Tribune. Jefferson, MO. July 1, 1962. p. 20. (Subscription required (help)).
  • "Mid-Missourians in America's Armed Services". Daily Capital News. Jefferson City, MO. October 9, 1969. p. 10. (Subscription required (help)).
  • "Charles Franklin Dies at 60". Washington Post. Washington, DC. March 18, 1992.
  • "Obituary, Charles D. Franklin". Springfield News-Leader. Springfield, MO. March 19, 1992. p. 12. (Subscription required (help)).

Internet

  • "Burial record, Charles D. Franklin". Arlington National Cemetery. United States Department of the Army. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  • "University of Missouri Honorary Degrees". Archives of the University of Missouri. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  • Detra, Dick. "The 269th Combat Aviation Battalion". VHPA Museum. Grand Prairie, TX: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. p. 7. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  • "Decorated; Silver Star". Tropic Lightning News. Flourtown, PA: 25th Infantry Division Association. January 29, 1968. Retrieved January 1, 2017.

Books

  • U.S. Army Register. 1. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. 1966. p. 193. (Subscription required (help)).
  • Army Executive Biographies. Washington, DC: US Department of the Army. 1985. p. 51.

Magazines

  • "Commanders Update" (PDF). Field Artillery Journal. Ft. Sill, OK: Field Artillery School. January 1, 1976. p. 59.
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