Korean War
| Service # | 504418 |
|---|---|
| Unit | 53 FITRON |
| Rank | Lieutenant Junior Grade U.S. Navy |
| Date of Death | August 23 1951 |
| Status | Missing In Action |
| Memorialized |
Courts of the Missing
Court
8
Honolulu Memorial |
Air Medal
Combat Action Ribbon (Navy)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Korean Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Purple Heart
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Franz was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 3 Gold Stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Notes
Lieutenant Franz was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter bomber with Fighter Squadron 53 aboard the aircraft carrier USS ESSEX (CV-9). On August 23, 1951, he was flying on instruments and became separated from his flight leader near Wonsan Harbor, North Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on May 20, 1954. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.