- SURNAME
Franklin
- FORENAME
John Wilson
- UNIT
2nd Ranger Battalion (Company F)
- RANK
Technical Sergeant
- NUMBER
36994460
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Europe
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 01.02.1920, Millstone, Kentucky, USA
father Benjamin J. Franklin (1880-1969)
mother Sarah Jane (nee Craft) Franklin (1889-1974)
wife Carolyn Frances (nee Hart) Franklin (1923-1955)
wife Odessa Watson (nee Foster) Franklin (1918-2003)
son John Wilburn Franklin (1944-1945)
daughter Connie Ruth Franklin Helms (1946-2014)
26.09.1939 enlisted Millstone, Kentucky
24th Engineers, 4th Armored Division, Tank battalion
volunteered 2nd Ranger Bn
WIA Normandy
awarded Silver Star
03.07.1945 discharged
postwar 17 years Fort Benning fire department
23 years military/civil service
2007 Ranger Hall of Hame
died 10.11.2008 (Aged 88) Columbus, Georgia, USA
Junction City Cemetery, Junction City, Georgia, USA
John W. Franklin enlisted in the Army as a youngster from Millstone, Kentucky. In his words, "I was out for adventure and I got it." After training, he was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, in the tank battalion of the 24th Engineers, 4th Armored Division as part of Patton's Army. He later volunteered for the newly developed 2nd Ranger Battalion which landed on the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc on that fateful day of June 6, 1944. John's heroics at Normandy included receiving a head wound, yet remaining at his post during withdrawal of his platoon risking his personal safety and life while allowing his men to reach safety. His accomplishments have been recognized by being awarded the Silver Star Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with one bronze arrowhead, and the Presidential Unit Citation. After the war, John dedicated 17 years to the fire department at Fort Benning as a civil servant. He continued his concern for others by developing a Volunteer Fire Department in their community of Junction City, Georgia, which had no source for fighting fires. For 50 years he served as the chief securing equipment, recruiting, soliciting funding, and training other firefighters. He was also a participant in the solicitation of funds and development of a public water system in the community of Junction City. John dedicated a total of 23 years to military and civil service while undertaking community services in his spare time and retirement. He has been an impactful personality and an example for his family, surrounding acquaintances, and friends continuing into retirement.
Source : Rangers Hall of Fame - https://www.benning.army.mil/Infantry/ARTB/RHOF/index.html
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