Tommy Franks

Tommy Franks
Official portrait, 2000
Birth name	Tommy Ray Bentley
Born	(1945-06-17) June 17, 1945 (age 78) Wynnewood, Oklahoma, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1965–2003
Rank	General
Commands held	United States Central Command Third United States Army 2nd Infantry Division 82nd Field Artillery Regiment 2nd Battalion, 78th Field Artillery
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Gulf War War in Afghanistan Operation Crescent Wind Fall of Mazar-i-Sharif Siege of Kunduz Fall of Kabul 2001 uprising in Herat Fall of Kandahar Battle of Qala-i-Jangi Battle of Tora Bora Iraq War 2003 attack on Karbala Battle of Baghdad
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal (5) Purple Heart (3) Presidential Medal of Freedom Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (United Kingdom)

Tommy Ray Franks (born June 17, 1945) is a retired United States Army general. His last army post was as the Commander of the United States Central Command, overseeing United States military operations in a 25-country region, including the Middle East. Franks succeeded General Anthony Zinni to this position on 6 July 2000 and served until his retirement on 7 July 2003. Franks was the United States general leading the attack on the Taliban in Afghanistan in response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon in 2001. He also oversaw the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.