Page 13 - Gold Star Sons of Georgetown Prep

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UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE
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CAPTAIN ELKIN L. FRANKLIN, JR. ’36
APRIL 20, 1944 AREZZO, ITALY
Elkin Franklin arrived at Prep as a
freshman in September 1932 only
three months after his father, Major
Elkin L. Franklin, Sr., a highly decorated
war hero, had died of head injuries incurred
during a U. S. Army polo match in Hawaii.
For the next four years, Elkin distinguished
himself at Prep as a leader: academically,
athletically, and spiritually. He consistently
earned 1st academic honors, captained the
football, basketball, and baseball teams, and
was chosen Prefect of the Sodality. He also
served faithfully for four years as an altar
boy, was elected President of the Yard, and
received the Hamilton Award presented each year to “that student who has most distinguished himself in his studies and in his contributions to school life. “
Elkin resolutely threw himself into every endeavor and displayed a passion for excellence. Football coach Joe Gardner considered “the crack, little, three-sport performer” – he stood
about 5’8” and weighed 145 lbs. — one of the “hardest line-smashers” he had ever coached; one he would not swap “for any other in prep school ranks.” In addition to all of his other achievements, Elkin’s peers were struck by his humility, friendliness, guffaw-evoking jokes, and popularity with girls.
After graduation from Prep in 1937 and a stint at a prep school for the United States Military Academy, Elkin enjoyed considerable success at West Point. He ranked in the upper third of his class academically and played on the Army football team. By senior year, he had “shot
Franklin at West Point
COURTESY, HOWITZER ’41
up” to 5’10” and “bulked up” to 150 lbs. He was considered fearless and played right half back in formations designed to ram the ball into the end zone on short yardage situations. The West Point yearbook noted his determination in the face of “challenges always mastered,” the admiration and respect he enjoyed among his fellow cadets, and his genuine
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COURTESY, HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS