Robert F. Franklin

Robert F. Franklin

88, a resident of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, passed away August 27, 2010 at the Fayetteville Veterans Home. He was born July 13, 1922 at Kiowa, Oklahoma, the son of James Esco and Ollie Lee See Franklin. Robert worked on the farm until he entered the Army on March 13, 1945.

The European Theater of Operations was entering its final phases as the Battle of the Bulge had just concluded and Allied Forces were now reentering Germany a second time. The Hurtgen Forest had been secured with blood of thousands of troops and Okinawa in the Pacific was about to be liberated.

Robert concluded basic training, and infantry training then await further orders. By June 1945 Okinawa, and the Philippines had been secured and the only thing left to do, was to land on the main Japanese Island. Millions of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines were preparing for that inevitability. The unit Robert was assigned to, the 123 Infantry Regiment, a part of the 33 Infantry Division had seen heavy combat in New Guinea and in Luzon, Philippines the winter before.

As part of a huge replacement pool Robert was sent overseas after the August 15, 1945 surrender of Japan. Troops were needed to stabilize the entire Asiatic area especially in Korea, the Philippines and Japan itself. Many Japanese refused to accept the unconditional surrender as a result of the two atom bombs and still provided pockets of resistance and violence against the Occupation Forces.

On May 14, 1946, Robert was finally able to begin his journey home arriving 12 days later and discharging on June 4, 1946.

On June 30, 2010, Robert received from U.S. Army TACOM the following Metals:

GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION

ASIATC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL

WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL

ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL

EXPERT INFANTRYMAN BADGE

HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON WWII

In a letter on August 19, 2010 from John Boozman a Member of Congress, to Robert, he stated “You have served the Army well and assisted in the liberation and stability of this newly formed democracy, something Japan had never had and something it truly cherished today.”

Robert was a long time resident of Prairie Grove and a member of the American Legion in Prairie Grove.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, six sisters, grandson, Bart Smith, sons-in-law, Tommy Smith and James U. McAdoo.

Survivors include one son, Robbie Franklin and wife Louise “Penny” of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; two daughters, Gwen Smith of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and Cora "Deane" McAdoo of West Fork, Arkansas; one sister, Betty Ruth Lackey of Modesto, California; ten grandchildren, ReNa Acree, Vicki Bradley, James McAdoo, Tracy Franklin, Sheri Nay, Kristi Daniels, Heath Franklin, Tom Tom Smith, Gary Shappell and Joshua Scates; twenty-five great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren;

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove.

Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 10:00 A.M. at the National Cemetery Pavilion in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with Cecil Sugg officiating.

Pallbearers will be James D. McAdoo, Tracy Franklin, Tom Tom Smith, Heath Franklin, Gary Shappell and Joshua Scates.

Memorials may be made to the Fayetteville Veterans Home, P.O. Box 9898, Fayetteville, AR 72703.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. The complete obituary may be viewed on the Luginbuel Web Page. To sign the online guest book, visit www.luginbuel.com