Franklin J. Camper is a former American soldier and known mercenary. He has written both non-fiction and fiction books about his service in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP), and also books related to military tactics and how to survive as a mercenary.[1] Prior to becoming an author, Frank Camper spent almost 2 decades as a mercenary. Several newspapers and radio stations reported that he was involved in the Air India bombings in the 1980s, noting that he trained one of the Sikh bombers at his combat school located in Dolomite, Alabama[2][3][4][5][6] Camper stated that he was unaware of the Sikh's plans.
On May 21, 1986 Camper was arrested on suspicion of conspiring with two California woman - Charlotte Wychoff and Elizabeth Leta Hamilton - to set two car bombs in a failed attempt to kill Robyn Richoff and Harriet Russo. The attempted victims were disgruntled employees of Hamilton and Wychoff.[7] Camper was sentences to 2 years in prison for his part in the bombings.[8]
The F.B.I. has acknowledged that Camper was personally responsible for saving the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's life in 1985. Prime Minister Gandhi was in the US on a diplomatic mission when the incident occurred.[2]
Camper's life story was allegedly optioned for a feature film, however to date it hasn't yet been released.[9] He is currently retired and living in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife.