*** Welcome to piglix ***

General Tommy Franks

Tommy Franks
TommyFranks cropped.jpg
Franks in March 2003, during his tenure as the CENTCOM commander.
Birth name Tommy Ray Bentley
Born (1945-06-17) June 17, 1945 (age 71)
Wynnewood, Oklahoma, U.S.
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1965–2003
Rank US Army O10 shoulderboard rotated.svg General
Commands held 2nd Battalion, 78th Field Artillery
82nd Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Infantry Division
Third U.S. Army
U.S. Central Command
Battles/wars

Cold War

Persian Gulf War
Global War on Terrorism

Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4)
Bronze Star (5)
Purple Heart (3)
Air Medal (9)
Army Commendation Medal
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Cold War

Persian Gulf War
Global War on Terrorism

Tommy Ray Franks (born June 17, 1945) is a retired general in the United States Army. His last Army post was as the Commander of the U.S. Central Command, overseeing U.S. military operations in a 25-country region, including the Middle East. Franks succeeded General Anthony Zinni to this position on July 6, 2000 and served until his retirement on 7 July 2003.

Franks was the U.S. general leading the attack on the Taliban in Afghanistan in response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon in 2001. He also led the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

Franks was born Tommy Ray Bentley in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, and was adopted by Ray and Lorene "Pete" Parker Franks. Franks attended Midland High School and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Texas one year ahead of First Lady Laura Bush. He attended the University of Texas at Austin where he was a brother of Delta Upsilon International Fraternity. He dropped out of college after two years due to subpar grades and lack of motivation. Franks decided to give himself a "jolt" and joined the United States Army.


...
Wikipedia

...