Gustave H. Franke
Encyclopedia
Maj. General Gustav H. "Gus" Franke (1888–1953) was a career United States Army
officer. He was born in Wisconsin
and moved to Iowa in 1888. His father, Gustave Henry Franke, was a tailor in Manning, Iowa
.
"Gus" Franke was an honors graduate of the United States Military Academy
, class of 1911. He graduated 12th in a class of 83. One of Franke's classmates at West Point was future general Terry Allen
, until Allen's academic difficulties led to his dismissal from the military academy. Another distinguished classmate was Walton Walker
, who would rise to Lt. General and command the Eighth Army in Korea during the desperate times of 1950. Walker entered West Point with the class of 1911, withdrew in the fall of 1907 and returned to become a member of the class of 1912.
Franke served much of his career in the Field Artillery Branch. Franke was commander of the first US unit (Artillery) to engage the Germany Army in WWI as the American forces moved forward. In the years leading up to World War II
, Franke was the commanding officer of the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment from 1937 to 1940. He moved to Commandant of the Field Artillery Replacement Center at Fort Bragg
in 1941. From 1941 to 1942, Franke was the commanding officer of Artillery for the 6th Infantry Division.
With the advent of the United States involvement in World War II, General Franke became the commander of the 81st Infantry Division at Fort Rucker
, Alabama, from its reactivation in June 1942 until August 1942. During this time Gen. Franke was responsible for the construction and establishment of Ft. Rucker as a major facility as the home and training center for the 81st Infantry Division. He was succeeded at the 81st by Maj. General Paul J. Mueller
.
During the summer of 1943 Franke became ill and was hospitalized for several months in Atlanta, Georgia.
Franke was a member of the War Department Dependency Board from 1943 to 1944.
Major General Franke retired from the Army in 1944.
His son, Gustav H. Franke Jr., was also an army officer and served in WWII and the Korean War
where he was awarded a Silver Star
. Like his father, he was a career artillery officer for the U.S. Army. His son LTC Gustav H Franke, Jr. retired from the Army in 1965. After he completed courses at Duke University he became a professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. LTC Franke also had a son that followed in his grandfather and fathers steps. Gustav W Franke served as an Army Aviator and Engineer officer. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in Vietnam. Later in his career he headed up the DOD Key Asset Protection Program during the Gulf War and retired in 1996 as a Colonel.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer. He was born in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and moved to Iowa in 1888. His father, Gustave Henry Franke, was a tailor in Manning, Iowa
Manning, Iowa
Manning is a city in Carroll County, Iowa, United States, along Iowa Highway 141. The population was 1,490 at the 2000 census. It is named for Orlando Harrison Manning, a Lieutenant Governor of Iowa.-History:...
.
"Gus" Franke was an honors graduate of the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, class of 1911. He graduated 12th in a class of 83. One of Franke's classmates at West Point was future general Terry Allen
Terry Allen
Terry Allen may refer to:*Terry Allen , American Big Band singer*Terry Allen , American country singer and artist*Magnum T.A...
, until Allen's academic difficulties led to his dismissal from the military academy. Another distinguished classmate was Walton Walker
Walton Walker
Walton Harris Walker was an American army officer and the first commander of the U.S. Eighth Army during the Korean War.-Biography:...
, who would rise to Lt. General and command the Eighth Army in Korea during the desperate times of 1950. Walker entered West Point with the class of 1911, withdrew in the fall of 1907 and returned to become a member of the class of 1912.
Franke served much of his career in the Field Artillery Branch. Franke was commander of the first US unit (Artillery) to engage the Germany Army in WWI as the American forces moved forward. In the years leading up to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Franke was the commanding officer of the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment from 1937 to 1940. He moved to Commandant of the Field Artillery Replacement Center at Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
in 1941. From 1941 to 1942, Franke was the commanding officer of Artillery for the 6th Infantry Division.
With the advent of the United States involvement in World War II, General Franke became the commander of the 81st Infantry Division at Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker is a U.S. Army post located mostly in Dale County, Alabama, United States. It was named for a Civil War officer, Confederate General Edmund Rucker. The post is the primary flight training base for Army Aviation and is home to the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and...
, Alabama, from its reactivation in June 1942 until August 1942. During this time Gen. Franke was responsible for the construction and establishment of Ft. Rucker as a major facility as the home and training center for the 81st Infantry Division. He was succeeded at the 81st by Maj. General Paul J. Mueller
Paul J. Mueller
-External links:* Retrieved 2009-02-20* Retrieved 2009-02-20* Retrieved 2009-02-21...
.
During the summer of 1943 Franke became ill and was hospitalized for several months in Atlanta, Georgia.
Franke was a member of the War Department Dependency Board from 1943 to 1944.
Major General Franke retired from the Army in 1944.
His son, Gustav H. Franke Jr., was also an army officer and served in WWII and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
where he was awarded a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
. Like his father, he was a career artillery officer for the U.S. Army. His son LTC Gustav H Franke, Jr. retired from the Army in 1965. After he completed courses at Duke University he became a professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. LTC Franke also had a son that followed in his grandfather and fathers steps. Gustav W Franke served as an Army Aviator and Engineer officer. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in Vietnam. Later in his career he headed up the DOD Key Asset Protection Program during the Gulf War and retired in 1996 as a Colonel.