DOB/DOD: December 27, 1919 (Norwalk, CT) – December 9, 2001 (Norwalk, CT); 81 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Winifred Reece (1923-1998) on November 8, 1947, in Norwalk, CT
LOCAL ADDRESS: 26 Prospect Street, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: September 10, 1942
SERVICE NUMBER: 11095117
DISCHARGE: December 9, 1945
UNIT: Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division
CIRCUMSTANCES: Captured December 16, 1944, Battle of the Bulge, Kesternick, Germany. Held in German POW camp Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13. Liberated on April 28, 1945, returned to the U.S. on May 29, 1945, and discharged on December 9, 1945.
FAMILY: Born to John Sr. (1878-1945) and Elizabeth Loncsak Franke (1878-1939). Three brothers, Joseph (1900-1952), John Jr. (1905-1933), and Andrew (1907-1956). Two sisters, Elizabeth Frank Marron (1904-1950) and Julia Franke Lawrence (1912-1974).
From The Norwalk Hour January 21, 1944
Fort Benning, GA – Private First Class Edward W. Franke, son of John Franke of 32 Center Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut, has graduated from the Enlisted Communication Course of The Infantry School. During his course here, he was attached to the First Student Training Regiment, commanded by Colonel Robert H. Lord. Private First Class Franke enlisted in the Army at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and was given his basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama.
From The Norwalk Hour June 5, 1945
T-5 Edward W. Franke, who had been a prisoner of war in Germany, was liberated on April 28 and arrived home on May 29 to spend a 60-day furlough. Franke, a member of the 78th Lightning Division of the 1st Army, was taken captive on December 16, 1`944 in the Ardennes Bulge. He has received two stars for participating in two campaigns and also has been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Good Conduct Medal. During the internment in Germany, he met two Norwalk fellows, Corporal Alex Bellus of Flax Hill Road and Sergeant George Lang of Newtown Avenue; the latter also arrived home at the same time. Corporal Bellus is expected to return in a few days. T-5 Franke highly praises the work of the American Red Cross for all they have done for our boys in combat zones. He is the son of John Franke and resides at the home of his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Marron, of 19 Harbor Avenue. His brother, Andrew, a member of the 43rd Division, has been stationed in various parts of the Pacific area since September 1942.
Buried in Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk; Section 9 North. Photo by the webmaster.
END
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 