Title: Ben Franklin Oral History

Date/Date Range :   2004 October 20- 2005 March 10

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

This collection houses a transcript of the oral history of Ben Franklin. Franklin talks of growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as combat situations in World War II.

Call number: MS-3186

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

Collection donated to Special Collections by the Center for War and Society at the University of Tennessee.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Ben Franklin Oral History, MS-3186. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

This collection consists of one folder

Ben Franklin, born in 1925, grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. As a young boy, Franklin was forced into the position of family breadwinner and balanced school with working as a delivery boy for D.L. Turner's Grocery Store. Franklin enlisted in the Infantry as a machine gunner when he was 16 years old. He was forced to have a homeless drunk forge his mother's signature and lie about his age to be accepted. Franklin states that Pearl Harbor acted as a catalyst for his enlistment. He served continuously in combat situations from December of 1941 to November of 1945. In that time he fought in North Africa as well as in the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge. Franklin stayed enlisted in the Army until 1963, but never saw combat again despite asking to be sent to Korea. Following his military service, Franklin was a stay-at-home father raising his two children. He met his wife while serving in Germany, and he is half Cherokee Indian.

This interview provides great insight into the life of an infantry soldier in World War II. Franklin explains how soldiers must justify inhumane acts as being rational so as to remain in control of themselves. Franklin's memory is exquisite, and he is able to recollect most of his movements during his time fighting in World War II. Franklin discusses the inability of American officers to command efficiently and repeatedly mentions the technical superiority of the German Army. Franklin traces his movements from North Africa through Sicily and into Germany, France, and England. While in Germany, Franklin was put in charge of controlling civilian movement in and out of Austria. This position gave him the chance to interact with Captain Henry Kissinger, who provided permission for people to cross the borders. Kissinger went on to become the Secretary of State for President Richard Nixon.

This interview is full of narrative that provides fantastic insight into the reality of life on the front lines of World War II. Franklin takes a very philosophical approach when discussing his actions in the war, none of which he is proud of. Franklin also waxes political and discusses how lessons learned in World War II were not incorporated into the current war in Iraq.

This interview also focuses on Knoxville, Tennessee during the Great Depression. Franklin talks of building shotgun houses for African Americans on Magnolia Street in Knoxville. It is in these surroundings that Franklin's political ideology was forged, including his belief in the need to help the poor and achieve racial parity. He also discusses his family life, and it is apparent that Franklin was not comfortable with his childhood and holds ill will towards his father. Both the discussion of Knoxville and World War II illustrate the lives of people living in those places at those times.

• World War, 1939-1945 -- Veterans.
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, American.
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Africa, North.
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Europe.
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American.
• Knoxville (Tenn.) -- History.