Charles D. Franklin
Franklin as commander of the First United States Army in September 1984
Born(1931-12-11)December 11, 1931
Hugo, Missouri, US
DiedMarch 16, 1992(1992-03-16) (aged 60)
Falls Church, Virginia, US
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1953–1987
RankLieutenant General
Commands heldFirst United States Army
9th Infantry Division Artillery
2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery
Battles/warsKorean war
Vietnam War
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal (23)
Army Commendation Medal (2)

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

Early life

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]

Military career

Franklin 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]

Franklin's 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 the 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 the 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
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Silver Star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
 Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with Award numerals "23"
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
 Meritorious Unit Commendation
Bronze oak leaf cluster
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]

Additional honors

In 1989, Franklin received the honorary degree of Legum Doctor from the University of Missouri.[10]

Death and burial

Franklin 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

Sources

Newspapers

  • "Captain C. D. Franklin Completes Course". Sunday News and Tribune. Jefferson, MO. July 1, 1962. p. 20.
  • "Mid-Missourians in America's Armed Services". Daily Capital News. Jefferson City, MO. October 9, 1969. p. 10.
  • "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.

Internet

Books

Magazines

  • "Commanders Update" (PDF). Field Artillery Journal. Ft. Sill, OK: Field Artillery School. January 1, 1976. p. 59. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
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