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April 14, 2004 Retired Four-Star Gen. Tommy Franks to discuss war in Iraq
He is speaking as part of Harding University’s American Studies Institute 2003-2004 Distinguished Lecture Series, a program that regularly presents contemporary national and international figures who offer insight into current trends in political and economic development affecting the American way of life. Speakers in the Lecture Series have included President George Bush, President Gerald Ford, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Dick Cheney, Gen. Colin Powell, John Major, Lech Walesa, Henry Kissinger and Linda Chavez. A lifelong military career prepared Franks, a highly decorated four-star general, for the command of his life - leading a coalition of more than 60 nations to victory in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Along the way he won the respect and admiration of the nation with his understated demeanor and reassuring honesty. With the eyes of the world watching, Franks guided, motivated and inspired more than 250,000 troops worldwide in effective execution of military operations. An astute strategist, in-tune with both his leaders and troops, his amazing ability to anticipate obstacles and adapt accordingly has been analyzed by many. A true war hero, Franks served during some of the most difficult times in U.S. military history, including the attack on the USS Cole, Sept. 11, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Known as a soldier’s solder, Franks began serving his country in 1967 as a second lieutenant out of Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Okla. His first combat experience was as an artillery officer in Vietnam, where he was wounded three times. In 1969 he was selected to participate in the Army’s Degree Completion Program and subsequently received a degree in business administration from the University of Texas, Arlington in 1971. Franks served two tours in West Germany and spent the time between the two at the Armed Forces Staff College and the Pentagon. Upon his return to the United States in 1984, he attended the Army War College at Carlisle, Pa., where he also completed graduate studies and received a master of science degree in public administration at Shippensburg University. As Time magazine described him when they named him person of the week in March 2002, “Franks has been exactly what this war effort has required: Insistently realistic, never gloating, understated about victory and reassuringly honest about its inevitable costs. A real general, with real American soldiers on the ground under his command - who realizes how fragile and precious a cargo that is.” General Franks’ awards include an honorary doctor of public service degree from Shippensburg University, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star Medal with “V” (three awards), Purple Heart (three awards), Air Medal with “V,” Army Commendation Medal with “V,” and a number of U.S. and foreign-service awards. He wears the Army General Staff Identification Badge and the Aircraft Crewmember’s Badge. The 7:30 p.m. presentation is free of charge, and tickets are not required. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (501) 279-4497 or e-mail asi@harding.edu. Harding University is the largest private university in Arkansas with an enrollment of more than 5,300 students from all 50 states and 41 countries. It also maintains campuses in Australia, Chile, England, Greece and Italy.
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SEARCY -
Retired Army Gen. Tommy R. Franks, commander in chief of U.S. Central
Command for three years, will address Harding University’s Benson
Auditorium Thursday, April 22. Until his retirement in August 2003, Franks was
responsible for all U.S. military operations for 25 countries in Africa, Central
Asia and the Middle East.