Franklin, Irl, Lt Col

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I attended Kansas State University a land grant college and as such everyone had to take two years of ROTC. Having spent many a night on Boy Scout outings I knew I did not want to be in the Army so my desire was the Air Force. When enrolling as a freshman I was told all Air Force ROTC classes were full.

After spending 3 hours working up my class schedule which included Army ROTC I was told they had opened up more Air Force classes so I did it all again (this time with Air Force classes), and so it was! I finished four years of schooling, received my degree and Commission in the United States Air Force Reserve. When on active duty I was offered and accepted a Commission into the Regular Air Force.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
After being commissioned in May I reported to Lackland AFB in June to begin my career as a navigator. Being lucky, I found the navigator classes were full and was offered a pilot slot. Hooray! Upon graduation from pilot school, I volunteered for C-130s and headed towards Stewart AFB, TN. Arriving there, I found I was put into a C-123 unit, much to my disappointment.

However, I was lucky again because in about a year I was an instructor pilot and a short while later a flight examiner. If I had been the C-130 program I would have been in the right seat for 4 or 5 years. In my following years, I spent my time flying and working Wing or Air Division Command posts, in addition a tour at the Tactical Air Warfare Center and Headquarters USAF. I also did a tour in Germany in a Special Operations Unit.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Yes, I guess you could say I was in the "mix of the War in Southeast Asia". I deployed with C-123s for Operation Mule Train in 61 & 62 and again with the C-123s for Operation Saw Buck in 63. The next time I deployed was with the C-130s in 1965, where we got out of the country more often. I then transferred over to the Sky Hook C-130s in Special Operations. We deployed to Southeast Asia with Sky Hook C-130s in project Stray Goose.

DID YOU ENCOUNTER A SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
On November 20th, 1970 I was the lead C130 for Helicopters on the Son Tay Raid. This mission was to recover the POW's located in Son Tay prison camp 15 miles was of Hanoi. The area was well defended with both artillery and surface to air missiles (SAM's). Successfully inserted the Special Forces teams into the prison objective. We encounter hostile forces during the raid.

The outcome was no prisoners found in the prison camp at Son Tay. Two F105s were hit but all of our crews were successfully recovered.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I suppose the fondest memories were at Ramstein AFB in Germany. It gave me the opportunity to work with many NATO armed forces. Most of all I was able to take my family along and see Europe.

The least favorite was Saigon - this was my first deployment to South East Asia circa 1962.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I am sure the honor to be chosen among all the C-130 pilots by the USAF to lead the mission on Son Tay.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
While serving in Germany I and a crew from my outfit were called back to the States to serve on a secret and dangerous mission. The mission turned out to be The raid on Son Tay, a prison camp 23 miles southwest of Hanoi. Our goal was to bring back about 75 of our POWs held by the North Vietnamese.

Silver Star Award Citation
Major Irl L. Franklin, US Air Force
Major Irl L. Franklin distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with a military
operation against an armed enemy of the United States during the Prisoner of War
search and rescue operation at Son Tay, North Vietnam, on 21 November 1970.

On that date, Major Franklin, as command of the lead aircraft, safely led the assault
rescue force deep into enemy territory to the Prisoner of War camp despite the
hazards of darkness, low altitude, and adverse weather. The result of his action
enabled the ground rescue force to successfully complete its mission. By his
gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Franklin has reflected great credit upon himself
and the United States Air Force.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The most meaningful medal I received is the Silver Star presented to me by the Secretary of Defense, Melvin R Laird, for leading the Raid on Son Tay NVN to rescue our POWs held there in the prison.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I would have to say my wife (currently 53 years). She stood by me through many absences, worked, cared for our two children (generally, as they say "kept the home fires burning!"), and helped with the hard choices in life!

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
While deployed to Panama most of us grew mustaches. Two of our fair-haired had facial hair that would not show up. One day one of them appeared back in the barracks with a dark mustache. He confessed to going to the beauty shop and getting a dye job. The other fair-haired troop thought that was a good idea. He made his appointment and showed for it to find half of the squadron waiting for him. Much to his dismay, he took a lot of razzing while we all watched and heckled.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
After retiring from the Air Force I moved to Nevada and worked in the local school district as a guidance counselor. Upon retiring from the school I was instrumental in forming a Civil Air Patrol Squadron (CAP) where I still fly. We are responsible for search and rescue missions directed by the Air Force as well as local law enforcement agencies and we support many other tasks. In my spare time, I fly as an instructor pilot and teach aviation ground school at our local college. I also serve on the State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
MOAA, ACA, AFA, 7th SOS, COMBAT TALON ASS., SEA C-123 ASS, Son Tay Raiders ASS. Many of these have newsletters and reunions of which I have attended.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
The military has been my life and molded my actions in every way. This is evident by the fact that I am still serving the USAF through CAP, an Auxiliary to the USAF.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
I enjoyed my 23 years in the Air Force as did my entire family. I would say to all get into an AFSC that you enjoy and take advantage of all the educational opportunities that arise. Remember there will be times that will try you. But remember they too will pass. Enjoy your work and your co-workers as some will be friends for life.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I have reconnected with a number of Airmen whom I lost contact throughout the years. In addition, setting up my AFTWS Profile Page has brought back many good memories that I had long forgotten.


Published in TWS "Voices" March 1, 2010

KC 7.8.20