Tommy Franks: Difference between revisions
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As a colonel, he commanded the artillery of the [[1st Cavalry Division]], and was designated as promotable to [[brigadier general]] and became division chief of staff. He was "frocked" — allowed to wear a general's star early — and was Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver in the [[Gulf War]]. | As a colonel, he commanded the artillery of the [[1st Cavalry Division]], and was designated as promotable to [[brigadier general]] and became division chief of staff. He was "frocked" — allowed to wear a general's star early — and was Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver in the [[Gulf War]]. | ||
After the war, he became director of the Army "futures laboratory" to develop new doctrine, and then, as a [[major general]], commander of the 2nd Infantry Division. Promoted to [[lieutenant general]], he took command of [[Third United States Army]], the land forces component of CENTCOM. GEN [[Anthony Zinni]], then heading CENTCOM, recommended Franks as his replacement. | After the war, he became director of the Army "futures laboratory" to develop new doctrine, and then, as a [[major general]], commander of the 2nd Infantry Division. Promoted to [[lieutenant general]], he took command of [[Third United States Army]], the land forces component of CENTCOM. GEN [[Anthony Zinni]], [[USMC]] then heading CENTCOM, recommended Franks as his replacement. On Zinni's recommendation, he took LTG [[Mike DeLong|Mike "Rifle" DeLong]], [[USMC]], as his deputy. | ||
==Early career== | ==Early career== | ||
Born in Oklahoma, his family moved to Texas when he was a young boy; he was a high school classmate of [[Laura Bush]]. After two years at the University of Texas, he joined the United States Army, and, after completing Officer Candidate School as Distinguished Graduate, was commissioned as a second lieutenant served in the [[Vietnam War]], initially as a [[forward observer]]. He won four [[Bronze Star]]s and was wounded three times. | Born in Oklahoma, his family moved to Texas when he was a young boy; he was a high school classmate of [[Laura Bush]]. After two years at the University of Texas, he joined the United States Army, and, after completing Officer Candidate School as Distinguished Graduate, was commissioned as a second lieutenant served in the [[Vietnam War]], initially as a [[forward observer]]. He won four [[Bronze Star]]s and was wounded three times. | ||
Revision as of 16:23, 21 June 2009
Tommy Franks (1945-) is a retired General in the United States Army, who took command of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in August 2000, directed U.S. operations in the Afghanistan War (2001-) after the 9-11 attack, as well as the beginning of the Gulf War.
General officer
As a colonel, he commanded the artillery of the 1st Cavalry Division, and was designated as promotable to brigadier general and became division chief of staff. He was "frocked" — allowed to wear a general's star early — and was Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver in the Gulf War.
After the war, he became director of the Army "futures laboratory" to develop new doctrine, and then, as a major general, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division. Promoted to lieutenant general, he took command of Third United States Army, the land forces component of CENTCOM. GEN Anthony Zinni, USMC then heading CENTCOM, recommended Franks as his replacement. On Zinni's recommendation, he took LTG Mike "Rifle" DeLong, USMC, as his deputy.
Early career
Born in Oklahoma, his family moved to Texas when he was a young boy; he was a high school classmate of Laura Bush. After two years at the University of Texas, he joined the United States Army, and, after completing Officer Candidate School as Distinguished Graduate, was commissioned as a second lieutenant served in the Vietnam War, initially as a forward observer. He won four Bronze Stars and was wounded three times.
Returning to college, received a bachelor's degree in business administration, and later a master's in public administration from Shippensburg University. His professional military education includes the Armed Forces Staff College and the Army War College.
He commanded an artillery battery and a battalion in Germany, and had Pentagon duty as an Army inspector general, and as a legislative aide to two Chiefs of Staff of the Army.