Franklin was born in Millville, NJ but moved to Marmora where he grew up. He attended Ocean City High School and graduated in 1938. He joined the Army in 1942 and then went into the Army Air Force. He was stationed in England during WWII. He was a fighter pilot and flew P-51's in the 4th Fighter Group, 8th Air force. He shot down two planes, one a Messerschmitt Me-262 jet-propelled and one a Messerchmitt BF-109 E single engined fighter on January 1,1945 over Ulzen, Germany. His plane was named the "Martha Jane" after his girlfriend, Martha Jane Hepworth. They married after the war in June of 1945. They had their only child, a daughter, Mary Jane in the Philippines where he was stationed just before the Korean Conflict. His wife, Jane and daughter moved to St. Petersburg, FL while he was fighting in Korea. He was later stationed in MA, Greenland, VA, Alaska and MN. He retired after 20 years as a LT. Col to St. Petersburg, FL. He bought Presto Car Wash in 1963 and ran it until 1976. He enjoyed sailing and taking trips on his sailboat.
Franklin was born in Millville, NJ but moved to Marmora where he grew up. He attended Ocean City High School and graduated in 1938. He joined the Army in 1942 and then went into the Army Air Force. He was stationed in England during WWII. He was a fighter pilot and flew P-51's in the 4th Fighter Group, 8th Air force. He shot down two planes, one a Messerschmitt Me-262 jet-propelled and one a Messerchmitt BF-109 E single engined fighter on January 1,1945 over Ulzen, Germany. His plane was named the "Martha Jane" after his girlfriend, Martha Jane Hepworth. They married after the war in June of 1945. They had their only child, a daughter, Mary Jane in the Philippines where he was stationed just before the Korean Conflict. His wife, Jane and daughter moved to St. Petersburg, FL while he was fighting in Korea. He was later stationed in MA, Greenland, VA, Alaska and MN. He retired after 20 years as a LT. Col to St. Petersburg, FL. He bought Presto Car Wash in 1963 and ran it until 1976. He enjoyed sailing and taking trips on his sailboat.
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