Marvin J. Franger – Captain, United States Navy

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From a contemporary press report:

Marvin Franger, 83, a retired Navy Captain who flew combat missions in World War II and was one of the early naval aviators to fly a jet, died of a blood disorder October 13, 2003, at the Sunrise assisted-living facility in Alexandria, Virginia.

Captain Franger, a longtime Alexandria resident, started taking flying lessons before he entered the Navy in 1941.

Once in the service, he qualified as an aviator and served in North Africa and then in the Pacific aboard aircraft carriers, including the USS Ranger. Flying an F4F Wildcat, Captain Franger escorted dive bombers and took part in raids on Pacific islands.

He flew in 78 combat missions and recorded nine kills.

His military decorations included a Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses and seven Air Medals.

As a test pilot after the war, he was one of the first to fly an FD Phantom jet. In other assignments, he was posted in London as an aide to Admiral John S. McCain Jr. , then commander in chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe.

Captain Franger’s last assignment was as head of the logistics school at Bolling Air Force Base. He retired in 1972.

He was a member of the Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators Association, also known as “The Golden Eagles.”

His wife, Alice Mae Franger, died in 2000. They had been married for 55 years.

Survivors include three sons, Dr. Marvin James Franger Jr. of Charlottesville, Charles William Franger of Ladysmith, Virginia, and Mark Alan Franger of Alexandria; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

FRANGER, MARVIN JAMES, CAPT. US NAVY (RET.)Of Alexandria, VA died on Monday, October 13, 2003. Husband of the late Alice Mae Franger father of Marvin James Franger Jr., Charles William Franger, and Mark Alan Franger. He is also survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services with full Military Honors will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at Fort Myer Chapel at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery

FRANGER, ALICE MAE

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 08/10/1925
  • DATE OF DEATH: 06/16/2000
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 06/29/2000
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6  SITE 8572-B
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF FRANGER, MARVIN JAMES CAPT US NAVY

FRANGER, MARVIN J

  • CAPT   US NAVY
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 06/30/1941 – 07/01/1972
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 10/14/1919
  • DATE OF DEATH: 10/13/2003
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 12/02/2003
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6  SITE 8572-B
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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