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.
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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?
Are the shoes specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet?
The shoes are standard issue military dress shoes. They are built up so the sole and heel are equal in height. This allows the Sentinel to stand with a straight back and perpendicular to the ground. A side effect of this is that the Sentinel can "roll" on the outside of the build up walking down the mat. Done correctly, the hat and bayonet will appear to not "bob" up and down with each step. It gives a more formal, fluid and smooth look to the walk, rather than a "marching" appearance.
The soles have a steel tip on the toe and a "horseshoe" steel plate on the heel. This prevents wear on the sole and allows the Sentinel to move smoothly during his movements when he turns to face the Tomb and then back down the mat.
Then there is the "clicker". It is a shank of steel attached to the inside of the face of the heel build-up on each shoe. It allows the Sentinel to heel click during certain movements. A guard change is considered great when all the heel clicks fall together and sound as one click. The guard change is occasionally done in the "silent" mode (as a sign of devotion to the Unknowns) with no voice commands - every thing is done in relation to the heel clicks and on specific counts.
