William Joseph Franks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2008)

For the British astronomer, see William Sadler Franks.

William Joseph Franks
Born 1830
William Joseph Franks, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Pittsboro, North Carolina
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	Enlisted 1863
Rank	Acting Master’s Mate
Unit	USS Marmora
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Awards	Medal of Honor

William Joseph Franks (born 1830, date of death unknown) was a United States Navy sailor who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the American Civil War.

1 Biography
2 Namesake
3 Medal of Honor citation
4 See also
5 References

[edit] Biography

Franks was born in Pittsboro, North Carolina in 1830. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 16, 1863.

Franks distinguished himself in action at Yazoo City, Mississippi on March 5, 1864 when he and his shipmates from the USS Marmora landed a 12-pound howitzer to defend the city, which was threatened by strong Confederate forces. He and his group were in the thickest of the fighting, but it was never enough to drive them from their cannon. The actions of Franks and his men came to play the most important role in maintaining the Union position. Franks was awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted to Acting Master’s Mate in recognition of his gallantry.

[edit] Namesake

A Fletcher-class destroyer, USS Franks (DD-554), was named in his honor and launched on 7 December 1942.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1830, Chatham County, N.C. Entered service at: Duvalls Bluff, Ark. G.O. No.: 32, 16 April 1864.

Citation:

Served on board the U.S.S. Marmora off Yazoo City, Miss., 5 March 1864. Embarking from the Marmora with a 12-pound howitzer mounted on a field carriage, Franks landed with the gun and crew in the midst of heated battle and, bravely standing by his gun despite enemy rifle fire which cut the gun carriage and rammer contributed to the turning back of the enemy during the fierce engagement.