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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Lt. Col. Karol E. Franzyshen was born in South Bound Brook, NJ in 1940. He attended the local public schools and graduated high school in 1958. The following year, he entered the USAF Aviation Cadet Undergraduate Navigator Training program at Lackland and Harlingen AFBs in Texas. In October 1960, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt and awarded his navigator wings.
After upgrade training to bombardier at Mather AFB, CA, he went on to fly B-47 jet bombers at Little Rock AFB, AK and Lincoln AFB, NE. He obtained his college degree at the University of Omaha, NE in June 1966. From there he entered USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laredo AFB, TX. In June 1967, he was awarded his pilot wings and went on to fly C-141s at McGuire AFB, NJ.
A year and a half later, after cross training into the O-2A aircraft, he was assigned as a Forward Air Controller in Vietnam. After completing his one-year combat tour, he returned to McGuire to fly C-141s as a pilot, simulator instructor and Flight examiner.
In August 1972, he was reassigned to the Presidential 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB, MD as a VC-140 pilot. In 1975, he became Chief of Training of the wing. Upon reorganization of the wing in 1977, he was assigned as Squadron Commander of the VC-140 aircraft that relocated to Ramstein AB, Germany.
After two years as commander of the 58th MAS, he was reassigned as Chief of Logistics Plans in the newly formed 322 Airlift Division at Ramstein. He returned to McGuire AFB, NJ in August 1981 and became Chief of Logistics Plans for the 438th Military Wing.
A year later, he moved up to become Chief of Logistics for the 21st Air Force at McGuire. After a very rewarding 29-year Air Force career, Lt. Col. Franzyshen retired on November 1, 1988.
Among his many awards are the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, the AF Commendation Medal, the AF Achievement Medal, the Distinguished - Presidential Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster, the AF Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, and the Vietnam Service Medal.