William B. Franke

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William B. Franke swearing in as Secretary of the Navy

William Birrell Franke (1894 – June 30, 1979) was United States Secretary of the Navy from 1959 to 1961 under Dwight D. Eisenhower. Franke was born in Troy, New York and attended Pace College. After life as a certified public accountant, he went back to school and received doctoral degrees from Pace Collge and the University of Louisville.

Franke was instrumental in developing and implementing new, modern technology for the United States Navy, including the use of nuclear-powered warships.

He was awarded the Department of Defense's Distinguished Service Award and the Medal of Freedom for his work. He died in Vermont after complications from gall bladder surgery.

Preceded by Thomas S. Gates	United States Secretary of the Navy 1959-1961	Succeeded by John B. Connally, Jr

v • d • e United States Secretaries of the Navy

Cabinet Level	Stoddert • Smith • Hamilton • Jones • Crowninshield • S Thompson • Southard • Branch • Woodbury • Dickerson • Paulding • Badger • Upshur • Henshaw • Gilmer • Mason • Bancroft • Mason • Preston • Graham • Kennedy • Dobbin • Toucey • Welles • Borie • Robeson • R Thompson • Goff • Hunt • Chandler • Whitney • Tracy • Herbert • Long • Moody • Morton • Bonaparte • Metcalf • Newberry • Meyer • Daniels • Denby • Wilbur • Adams • Swanson • Knox • Forrestal

Dept. of Defense	Sullivan • Matthews • Kimball • Anderson • Thomas • Gates • Franke • Connally • Korth • Nitze • Ignatius • Chafee • Warner • Middendorf • Claytor • Hidalgo • Lehman • Webb • Ball • Garrett • O'Keefe • Dalton • Danzig • England • Winter