0056
Marvin L. Franklin Jr.
Tomb Position
Assistant Relief Commander, SentinelTomb Relief
Tomb Dates
Jan 1966 - Jan 1967Military Dates
Jan 1965 - Aug 1967Society Membership
Lifetime MemberHome City / State
Oklahoma City, OKObituary
Marvin “Lyle” Franklin Jr., 22, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, entered into eternal rest on August 31, 1967. He was born on July 15, 1945 in Oklahoma City, where he graduated from Putnam City High School in 1963. He was a member of the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Putnam City Methodist Church, and the Bethany Masonic Lodge where he served as Senior DeMolay. He was an automobile and woodworking enthusiast whose hobbies included rebuilding car engines and restoring furniture. In 1965, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was initially assigned to the 3rd Infantry Regiment "Old Guard", where he served as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from July 1966 until February 1967. After his service in the Old Guard, he was assigned to the 1st Calvary Division. He was killed in action at Binh Dinh, South Vietnam. His parents, Marvin and Phyllis Franklin, came to Washington D.C. after his death to receive several posthumous awards, including the Bronze Star, on his behalf. At the special invitation of his fellow Tomb Guards, his parents became the first civilians to participate in the Christmas Wreath Laying Ceremony honoring the Unknowns laid to rest at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is an annual event cherished by Tomb Guards. His parents were honored by the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by bestowing upon them lifetime Legacy Memberships in the Society.Outside Tributes
TributeMemories & Condolences
Lyle was my first cousin, the sweetest guy in the world, and all the family was so proud of him for his service and the honor he held as Tomb Guard. We have many generations of veterans in our family but only Lyle was KIA. My husband will visit both the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and The Wall, when he participates in the Central Missouri Honor Flight #59 on August 19, 2019. I will be thinking of you all day, Lyle, with love and tears, wishing I were there too.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May you forever be remembered for the ultimate dedication you bestowed upon your fellow soldiers and country.
Thank you for your service, and sacrifice. This Memorial Day you are remembered. My deepest condolences to your family and friends. You are now part of my Arlington memory, and I shall pay tribute to you, and your family, with every visit I make.
Just a little note to say Thank You for your service, your bravery, your spirit! I'm am so proud to be an American because of brave men like you who gave the ultimate sacrifice for me and my family! R.I.P dear Marvin, you will not be forgotten my hero!
As a social studies teacher doing research, I was touched by this hero's story. Every life is so precious. God bless his sacrifice and his family!
Rest in peace Marvin. It was a very sad time for me, but such an honor, as the Sgt. of the Guard at the time, to be able to travel to your home in Oklahoma City, meet with your family, and help them plan the military part of your funeral. Tomb Guards never forget
Rest in eternal peace! I appreciate and thank-you for your service to our great country. We had a special bond that can never be broken by time nor death. You will always be in our memories. Ps:121
On behalf of your brothers in the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we will never forget your service to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and our Nation, and your sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. Line 6 - Tomb Guards never forget.
Share a Memory
Units & Campaigns
3rd US Infantry (Old Guard), Tomb Guard Platoon, Company E (Honor Guard), Ft Myer, Virginia1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile), Vietnam
Awards & Decorations
Bronze StarPurple Heart
Air Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Tomb Guard Identification Badge
Combat Infantryman's Badge
Support the Society
The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS) is able to provide our programs, events, assistance, scholarships, and services due to the generosity of its members, organizations, and individuals. SHGTUS does not receive institutional funding. Note: The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your contributions may be fully tax deductible.
Learn More
Did you know?
How many Sentinels have been female?
There have been over 680 tomb guards awarded the badge since 1958 when we started counting. There are hundreds more from the year 1926 when the Army started guarding the Tomb. The 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) is the unit that has been given the duty of guarding the Tomb. It was given this sacred duty in 1948. The Old Guard was -- and still is -- considered a combat unit. As an Infantry unit, females were not permitted in the ranks for many years. It wasn't until 1994 that females were permitted to volunteer to become a Sentinel when the 289th Military Police Company was attached to the Old Guard. The MP branch is a combat support unit and includes females.
In 1996, SGT Heather Johnsen became the first female to earn the Tomb Guard Identification Badge. She volunteered for duty in June 1995 and earned her badge in 1996. However, SGT Johnson was not the only female Sentinel. Since then, there have been a total of five female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:
SGT Danyell Wilson earned
her badge in 1997
SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth
Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021
Several other units have since been attached to the Old Guard -- food
service, transportation, medics, etc. -- so now females have an ever
greater opportunity to become a Sentinel. Females must meet the same
requirements as the male soldiers to be eligible to volunteer at the
Tomb. the only difference is that females have a minimum height of 5'8"
-- which is the same standard to be a member of the Old Guard.
