Gen. (ret.) Fred M. Franks, Jr.

General (ret.) Fred M. Franks, Jr. is a 1959 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. He retired from active duty in 1994 and continued as a strong advocate for Wounded Warriors. Gen. Franks chaired the Amputee Advisory Board at Walter Reed Medical Center, participated in two Department of the Army Wounded Warrior studies, mentors Wounded Warrior Amputees, and serves as senior advisor and Honorary Board Member for the Red Sox Foundation-Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, where he supports Veterans and Families with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. He founded a Southwest Florida Home Base Program in 2014 for local Veterans, and now serves as Honorary Director.

After being severely wounded in combat in Cambodia in 1970 and having his left leg amputated below the knee, he fought to remain on active duty in a combat unit and was permitted by the U.S. Army to continue what he calls “life’s great privilege.” Later, Gen. Franks commanded the first Gulf War 146,000 Soldier VII Corps in the successful “Left Hook” maneuver in a coalition to liberate Kuwait. VII Corps fought and won the largest tank battle in the history of the U.S. Army, the Battle for Northern Kuwait and Southeastern Iraq.

While serving in the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with V Device, the Air Medal, and two Purple Hearts. Today, he and his wife of over 59 years, Denise, live in Naples, Florida.