Franks, Gen. Tommy

▪ 2004

      After having led two successful military campaigns in as many years, U.S. Gen. Tommy Ray Franks chose to retire a national hero in May 2003. He had commanded the American forces responsible for the overthrow of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in 2001 as well as the forces that deposed the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein in a blitzkrieg in March and April 2003. Franks had spent more than 36 years in uniform, his last three as commander of the Florida-based Central Command (Centcom), which was responsible for all U.S. military operations in an area comprising 25 countries, stretching from the Horn of Africa through the Middle East to Central Asia. In October he signed a book deal, reportedly worth $5 million, for his memoirs.

      Franks was born on June 17, 1945, in Wynnewood, Okla. He grew up in Midland, Texas, like future president George W. Bush, and went to high school there with Bush's future wife, Laura Welch, who was one year behind him. He had a penchant for motorcycles, country music, and hunting. After studying at the University of Texas for two years, Franks dropped out and joined the army. He graduated from the Artillery Officer School in 1967 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. Shortly thereafter he was posted to Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division. In 1969 he decided to leave the service but changed his mind following selection for the army's Bootstrap degree-completion program. He graduated with a degree in business administration in 1971. His rise through the ranks culminated in his promotion to commander of Centcom in June 2000. Franks reportedly did not get along well at first with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, but the two developed a close working relationship after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. The day after the attacks, Rumsfeld ordered Franks to begin plans for retaliation, and on Oct. 7, 2001, airstrikes against Afghanistan began.

      During the buildup to the invasion of Iraq, Franks was implicated in a security breach involving his wife after it was discovered that she had been present during a highly classified briefing. The Pentagon's investigation concluded that he had inadvertently allowed classified information to be discussed in front of his wife at a level for which she did not have a security clearance. Franks promised to “redouble” his efforts to protect sensitive information, and no further action was taken. Even before the investigation was finished, Rumsfeld made it clear that he would not allow the incident to interfere with Franks's war preparations.

      Franks's military honours included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; the Distinguished Service Medal (two awards); the Legion of Merit (four awards); three Bronze Star medals with “V” (for valour); three Purple Hearts; the Air Medal with “V”; and the Army Commendation medal with “V.”

Peter Saracino

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