General Tommy Franks, United States Army (Ret.)
Belief in God, Country and work make an American Soldier a hero.
May 15, 2009
General Tommy Ray Franks, (Retired) United States Army was born June 17, 1945 in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. After graduation from Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Texas (one year ahead of First Lady Laura Bush) he attended the University of Texas at Austin. After two years in college he enlisted in the Army in 1965.
General Tommy Franks Military Career
After basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he went to Fort Devens, Massachusetts for training as a cryptographic analyst. He attended the U.S. Army Artillery and Missile Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1967. From Fort Sill, Franks was sent to Viet Nam.
Franks tour of duty in Viet Nam was the start of a distinguished career that would take him from one world trouble spot to another. He went from West Germany at the height of the Cold War, to the Demilitarized Zone in Korea, to the deserts of Arabia. There he gained the knowledge and experience that would prepare him for the leadership that would solidly place him in the records of American History as one of America’s greatest Generals.
Tommy Franks was promoted to four-star General in June of 2000 and assigned as Commander-in-Chief, United States Central Command. This was the culmination of a distinguished military career that saw him lead American and Coalition troops in two strategically unprecedented campaigns – Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.
General Tommy Franks retired from the Army in 2003.
Commands Held:
- 2nd Battalion, 78th Field Artillery
- 82nd Field Artillery Regiment
- 2nd Infantry Division
- Third United States Army
- United States Central command
Battles/Wars:
- Cold War
- Viet Nam War
- Persian Gulf War
- War on Terrorism
- Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
- Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq
Degrees:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (University of Texas, Arlington)
- Master of Science Degree in Public Administration (Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania)
- Honorary degrees from several Universities including his alma mater, Shippensburg University and his wife’s alma mater, Oklahoma State University.
Awards:
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Legion of Merit (4)
- Bronze Star (5)
- Purple Heart (3)
- Air Medal (9)
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Staff Identification Badge
- Aircraft Crewmember’s Badge
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- 2003 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Gold Medal
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2004)
Since his retirement, General Tommy Franks has remained active in service to America. He has traveled the world speaking on leadership, character and the value of Democracy. His autobiography, American Soldier by Tommy Franks and Malcolm McConnell [HarperCollins Publishers], January 1, 2004 was Number One on the New York Times best seller list in August, 2004.
The General serves on the Board of Directors of Bank of America, sits on the Board of Directors of National Park Foundation, advisor to the Central Command Memorial Foundation and the Military Child Education Coalition, and is a spokesman for Southeastern Guide Dogs Organization.
Franks and his wife have one daughter married to a military officer and grandchildren. The Franks divide their time between their home in Tampa, Florida and their ranch in Roosevelt, Oklahoma.
President George W. Bush refers to Franks as “a down to earth, no-nonsense guy.” His troops call him, “a soldier’s General.” His associates call him, “an astute businessman.” His grandchildren call him, “Pooh.”
Visit the General’s Website, a wonderful tribute to a great American.
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