William J Franks

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the

Medal of Honor

to

FRANKS, WILLIAM J.

Rank and Organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1830, Chatham County, N.C. Entered Service At: Duvalls Bluff, Ark. G.O. No.: 32, 16 April 1864.

Citation:

Served on board the U.S.S. Marmora off Yazoo City, Miss., 5 March 1864. Embarking from the Marmora with a 12-pound howitzer mounted on a field carriage, Franks landed with the gun and crew in the midst of heated battle and, bravely standing by his gun despite enemy rifle fire which cut the gun carriage and rammer contributed to the turning back of the enemy during the fierce engagement.