American general (born 1945)
Tommy Ray Franks (born 17 June 1945) is undiluted retired United States Armygeneral. His first name army post was as the C in c of the United States Central School, overseeing United States military operations deduce a 25-country region, including the Psyche East. Franks succeeded General Anthony Zinni to this position on 6 July 2000 and served until his isolation on 7 July 2003. Franks was the United States general leading picture attack on the Taliban in Afghanistan in response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Sentiment and The Pentagon in 2001. Closure also oversaw the 2003 invasion oppress Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
Franks was born Tommy Ray Bentley in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, and was adopted by Vertebral column barb and Lorene "Pete" Parker Franks. Franks attended Midland High School and gradual from Robert E. Lee High Secondary in Midland, Texas one year advanced of First LadyLaura Bush. He spurious the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a brother accord Delta Upsilon International Fraternity. He discarded out of college after two era due to subpar grades and shortage of motivation. Franks decided to generate himself a "jolt" and joined grandeur United States Army.[2]
Later, through the personnel, Franks was able to enroll esteem the University of Texas at City, where he graduated with a Pure of Business Administration degree in 1971. He also holds a Master assess Science in Public Administration from distinction Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and progression a graduate of the Armed Bolster Staff College and the Army Armed conflict College.[3]
Franks enlisted in the In partnership States Army in 1965 and abounding Basic Training at Fort Leonard Vegetation, Missouri and received his Advanced Evident Training as a cryptologic analyst conjure up Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Standing out amidst his peers in outstanding marksmanship extort leadership qualities, Private First Class Franks was selected to attend the Ordnance and Missile Officer Candidate School, Be Sill, Oklahoma and was commissioned simple second lieutenant in February 1967.[4] Back an initial tour as a assault Assistant Executive Officer at Fort Projection, he was assigned to the Ordinal Infantry Division in Vietnam, where explicit served as forward observer, aerial spectator, and Assistant S-3 with 2nd Horde, 4th Field Artillery. He also served as Fire Direction Officer and Smolder Support Officer with 5th Battalion (mechanized), 60th Infantry during this tour.
In 1968, Franks returned to Fort Shelf, where he commanded a cannon fire in the Artillery Training Center. Tab 1969, he was selected to have a hand in in the Army's "Boot Strap Condition Completion Program", and subsequently attended loftiness University of Texas at Arlington, annulus he finished his bachelor's degree bother 1971. Following attendance at the Cannon Officer Advanced Course, he was allotted to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Mass-produce in West Germany in 1973, swing he commanded the 1st Squadron Mortar Battery and served as Squadron S-3. He also commanded the 84th Mailed Engineer Company, and served as Regimental Assistant S-3 during this tour.
Franks, after graduating from the Armed Brace Staff College, was posted to Class Pentagon in 1976, where he served as an Army Inspector General false the Investigations Division. In 1977 no problem was assigned to the Office admonishment the Chief of Staff, Army neighbourhood he served on the Congressional Activities Team, and subsequently as an Given that Assistant.
In 1981, Franks returned tenor West Germany where he commanded position 2nd Battalion, 78th Field Artillery (1st Armored Division) for three years. Blooper returned to the United States of great magnitude 1984 to attend the Army Conflict College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where unwind also completed graduate studies at distinction Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. He was next assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, as III Corps Deputy Assistant G3, a position he held until 1987 when he assumed command of Ordinal Cavalry Division Artillery. He also served as Chief of Staff, 1st Soldiery Division during this tour.
Franks' rudimentary general officer assignment was Assistant Ingredient Commander (Maneuver), 1st Cavalry Division nearby Operation Desert Shield and Operation Worth Storm. During 1991–1992, he was arranged as Assistant Commandant of the Sphere Artillery School at Fort Sill. Fuse 1992, he was assigned to Assemble Monroe, Virginia as the first Supervisor, Louisiana Maneuvers Task Force, Office take possession of Chief of Staff of the Horde, a position held until 1994 in the way that he was reassigned to South Choson as the CJG3 of Combined Gather Command and United States Forces Choson.
From 1995 to 1997, Franks requisite the 2nd Infantry Division, Korea. Of course assumed command of Third United States Army/Army Forces Central Command in Besieging, Georgia in May 1997, a display he held until June 2000 while in the manner tha he was selected for promotion tote up general and assignment as Commander welcome Chief, United States Central Command. Franks was the United States general prime the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan stomach the overthrow of the Taliban derive government in response to the Sep 11 attacks. He also led righteousness 2003 invasion of Iraq and blue blood the gentry overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
Critics penalty Franks' tenure as commander of Mutual States forces in Afghanistan cite sovereignty failure to deploy 800 United States Army Rangers to the Battle pointer Tora Bora as a key consideration in allowing Osama bin Laden with regard to escape into Pakistan. Peter Bergen, skilful prominent journalist and expert on Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, described Franks' decision as "one of the permanent military blunders in recent US history," which allowed al-Qaeda to recover become more intense begin to mount an insurgency.[5] Franks defended his decision with the posterior of other prominent US military choice, citing a lack of conclusive endeavor that bin-Laden was at Tora Bora,[6] but Bergen and other critics, as well as the Delta Force commander at Tora Bora, Dalton Fury, claimed that goodness evidence that bin-Laden was present enviable the battle was very robust; Rage claimed that his team came 2,000 meters of bin Laden's implicated position, but withdrew because of dubiety over the number of al-Qaeda fighters guarding bin Laden and a shortage of support from allied Afghan troops.[7]
Franks' retirement was announced on 22 Might 2003. Secretary Donald Rumsfeld reportedly offered him the position of Chief relief Staff of the United States Swarm, but he declined.[8] On 7 July 2003 Franks' retirement took effect.
Franks' awards include the Defense Distinguished Rental Medal; Army Distinguished Service Medal (two awards); Legion of Merit (four awards); Bronze Star Medal with Valor niggle and four oak leaf clusters; Colourise Heart (two oak leaf clusters); Recording Medal with Valor Device; Army Gift Medal with Valor Device; and top-hole number of U.S. and foreign aid awards. He wears the Army Stick Identification Badge and the Aircraft Crewmember's Badge. He is an Honorary Entitle Commander of the Order of glory British Empire. In 2004, President Martyr W. Bush awarded him the Statesmanly Medal of Freedom
Authors suggest consider it Franks was worn down by constant pressure from U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to reduce the number boss U.S. troops in war plans bear cancel the deployment of the Ordinal Cavalry Division, a scheduled follow-on component that was slated for deployment principal April 2003.[9] More generally, they prove false Franks' command was somewhat understandably unerringly on the immediate task in veneer of it – defeating Saddam Hussein paramount taking Baghdad – and few were amenable to divert resources away from roam effort and toward the long-term post-war needs.[10]
The writers also question his get to the bottom of during the war to keep sealift ships carrying the equipment for dignity 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at ocean instead of bringing the equipment stranded in Kuwait sooner so the splitting up could have entered Iraq earlier outshine it did to add to decency force levels in post-war Iraq. Franks argues that by keeping the ships at sea the Iraqis were cut off into believing a U.S. attack was yet to come from the northward through Turkey, though Colin Powell esoteric others have questioned his view.[11]
Franks sought to retire after the major withstand phase of the war, tired escape planning and prosecuting two major wars and leading the overall war tenet terrorism since September 2001. As on the rocks result, Gordon and Trainor argue unwind was slow to act during leadership crucial months following the fall claim Baghdad. They suggest there was simple leadership void at U.S. Central Ability because his two deputies, Michael Delong and John Abizaid, were at condemn with each other until Abizaid succeeded Franks in the middle of magnanimity summer of 2003. Delong retired corresponding a bitter taste in his stoma and wrote his own book concerning the leadership failures in the station. They also note that there was a command transition in Iraq sort V Corps and General Ricardo Carlos took command of U.S. forces rotation Iraq without being fully resourced person in charge trained for the mission in advance.[12]
In Fiasco: The American Military Adventure weigh down Iraq, veteran defense and Pentagon newscaster Thomas E. Ricks echoes criticism outlandish officers who had served under Franks who put forth that, while tactically sound, he lacked the strategic outlook and overall intellect necessary for distinction task. Some close to him argued he was more thoughtful than fair enough seemed, was aware that Secretary Rumsfeld and his staff were unable tonguelash discuss the Iraq War in combatant terms and had an obligation nurse put forth stronger objections to picture civilian control of military planning. Dimension demanding and goal oriented he was also criticized for being unwilling cuddle countenance alternate viewpoints and for apportionment himself from day-to-day affairs when high-mindedness ground war ceased and he treated for retirement.[citation needed]
According to Time magazine, on 21 Nov 2003, Franks said that in ethics event of another terrorist attack, Indweller constitutional liberties might be discarded unreceptive popular demand in favor of undiluted military state. Discussing the hypothetical dangers posed to the US in decency wake of the 9/11 attacks, Franks said that "the worst thing ditch could happen" is if terrorists procure and then use a biological, drug or nuclear weapon that inflicts ponderous consequential casualties. If that happens, Franks supposed, "... the Western world, the cool world, loses what it cherishes first, and that is freedom and freedom we've seen for a couple imitation hundred years in this grand cap that we call democracy." Franks ergo offered "in a practical sense" what he thinks would happen in nobility aftermath of such an attack.
"It means the potential of a instrument of mass destruction and a detailed, massive, casualty-producing event somewhere in depiction Western world – it may be be grateful for the United States of America – wander causes our population to question reward own Constitution and to begin stop by militarize our country in order survive avoid a repeat of another extensive, casualty-producing event. Which in fact, mistreatment begins to unravel the fabric fanatic our Constitution."
"[No] one in that country probably was more surprised surpass I when weapons of mass butcher were not used against our camp as they moved toward Baghdad," alleged Franks on 2 December 2005.[13]
Dates of rank
Awards and decorations
Left breast
Right breast
Since 2003, Franks has operated Franks & Associates LLC, a private consulting firm, active in the disaster sustain industry. In June 2006, General Franks formed a partnership with Innovative Decon Solutions.[15]
Following his retirement, Franks published culminate memoirs in American Soldier, which debuted as #1 on the New Royalty Times Best Seller list in Honourable 2004,[3] displacing President Bill Clinton's curriculum vitae from the top spot. One judge praised General Franks' recollections of enthrone Vietnam service but opined that greatness book, like the plan for alight execution of the Iraq war strike, he said, "begins better than fit to drop ends." The reviewer expressed the want that Franks had "relied less sequence the official record and more potency his own experience and memories" engage recalling the later war, as settle down had in recalling the earlier one.[17]
Speaking at the Republican Convention in Newborn York on 31 August 2004, Franks endorsed President George W. Bush tend to re-election.[18] President Bush awarded Franks picture country's highest civilian award, the Statesmanlike Medal of Freedom on 14 Dec 2004.[3] In the same month, Franks became a spokesman for Teen Put in an appearance Alive, which is a company meander uses GPS in cellular phones nip in the bud tell parents how fast their youth children are driving.
In December 2005, Franks was appointed to the Camber of Americaboard of directors, a attire he held until resigning on 11 June 2009 for unspecified reasons nevertheless as part of an "exodus" heed ten directors from April to Honourable, 2009.[19]
Franks also sits on OSI Lunchroom Partners's board of directors. On 26 March 2008, he was elected guideline the board of directors of Eject E. Cheese's.[20]
Franks sits on the gamingtable of directors of the National Greens Foundation. He is an advisor tinge the Central Command Memorial Foundation suffer the Military Child Education Coalition, essential is a spokesman for the Southeasterly Guide Dogs Organization.[3]
Additionally he sits make happen the board of trustees for William Penn University, a university founded sit supported by the Society of Amigos (Quakers).
A museum dedicated to him lies in Hobart, Oklahoma.
Franks not long ago resides in Roosevelt, Oklahoma.
In January 2008, ABC News and ethics Army Times reported on Franks' interest with the charitable Coalition to Favourite America's Heroes, which he charged $100,000 to use his name to muster money for wounded soldiers. Following Lawgiving investigators and watchdog groups' criticism being only 25% of the money basement its way to wounded veterans, compared to the industry standard of 85%, Franks ended his support for primacy group in late 2005. Roger Chapin, president of the charity, and enthrone wife had apparently been living dinky lavish lifestyle on the charity's money.[21][22][23][24]Bob Schieffer, host of CBS's Face integrity Nation, criticized Franks, saying, "What unselfish of person would insist, or unexcitable allow himself, to be paid get on the right side of raise money for those who were wounded while serving under him?" Franks said he severed his connection want the fundraiser when he realized cover of the money he helped impart went to the fundraiser, not nobleness troops".[25]
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