Born:
1945
Died:
--
Place of Birth:
--
Military University:
--Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma
--U.S. Army War College
Wars Fought:
--Vietnam War
--Gulf War
--War on Afghanistan
Awards:
--Defense Distinguished Service Medal
--Distinguished Service Medal (two awards)
--Legion of Merit (four awards)
--Bronze Star Medal with "V" (three awards)
--Purple Heart (three awards)
--Air Medal with "V"
--Army Commendation Medal with "V"
--He wears the Army General Staff Identification Badge and the Aircraft Crewmember's Badge.
War in Afghanistan:
Gen. Tommy Franks' military career began in 1967 when he was commissioned a second lieutenant after graduating from Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He got his first combat experience as an artillery officer in Vietnam, where he was wounded three times. He was then assigned to the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment in West Germany in 1973 where he commanded 1st Squadron Howitzer Battery, and served as Squadron S-3. He also commanded the 84th Armored Engineer Company, and served as Regimental Assistant S-3 during this tour. Gen. Franks advanced through the ranks and by 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, he was an assistant division commander of the 1st Calvary Division. From 1995-97, General Franks commanded the Second Infantry (Warrior) Division, Korea. He assumed command of Third (U.S.) Army/Army Forces Central Command in Atlanta, Ga. in May 1997, a post he held until June 2000 when he was selected for promotion to general and assignment as Commander in Chief, United States Central Command.
