World War II Honoree

Joseph G. Franks

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Ted Wahl

Relationship

Cousin

SERVED IN BOTH THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC THEATRES ABOARD THE MINESWEEPER USS THREAT (AM-124). WENT TO BOOT CAMP IN SAMPSON, NEW YORK OCTOBER 1942. IN THE ATLANTIC CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATED IN FOUR CONVOYS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND AFRICA THAT INCLUDED CASABLANCA AND ORAN IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. ON JUNE 6, 1944 HE WAS ABOARD ONE OF THE 5 SHIPS OFF UTAH BEACH FROM MIDNIGHT TO SIX IN THE MORNING HELPING TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE INVASION. THREE OF THE FIVE SHIPS WERE SUNK DURING THE MISSION. AFTER NORMANDY, WAS ASSIGNED TO THE MEDITERRANEAN OFF SOUTHERN FRANCE. THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT TOOK HIM THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL TO A STOP IN PEARL HARBOR, THEN PAST OKINAWA, THEN MINESWEEPING IN THE SEA OF JAPAN IN PREPARATION FOR THE INVASION OF JAPAN. HE WAS AWARDED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATRE MEDAL WITH 2 BATTLE STARS, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATRE MEDAL WITH 2 BATTLE STARS, FRANCE FREEDOM MEDAL, NORMANDY FREEDOM OF FRANCE CITATION AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED FEBRUARY 14, 1946.