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Franklin
Naruaki Izuo '50
Radio Operator, Friend, Hero
Treasure #7
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend."
John 15:13
Our 7th HMA Treasure was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 8, 1932. He was the sixth of seven children. His oldest sister, Clara gave him the name of Franklin in honor of Franklin Delano Roosevelt who was elected President of the United States on that very day.
Franklin's father Shurei Izuo was born in Hiroshima, Japan. His mother, Mitsuko, was born on the North Shore on Kauai in a small village called Kalihiwai. At a very early age she was taken to Japen where she spent her childhood. In 1918 she married Shurei and they moved to Hawaii in 1920.
In 1935, Franklin's father started his business by renting a small desk space in the basement of a former employer. He and his two brothers started Izuo Brothers in 1940 in a building near Beretania and Piikoi Streets. By 1970, Izuo Brothers was the largest supplier of fishing equipment, bait, and supplies.
“Na-san” had a happy childhood. He started school at Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School a few blocks away from HMA. In the 7th grade he entered Hawaiian Mission Elementary at Makiki. He was well liked by his siblings and his friends. He enjoyed sports and did well in school. After graduating from Hawaiian Mission Academy in the first graduating class at the new campus on Pensacola in 1950. Franklin received a business degree from Cannon’s Business College in Honolulu and was offered a job at the Territorial Tax Office. He planned on attending the University of Pennsylvania with hopes of entering the Wharton School of Business. Franklin looked forward to one day working with his father and siblings at Izuo Brothers, Limited.
In 1951, Franklin put his future on hold. The United States was involved in the Korean Conflict and many young men were being drafted into the military service. Franklin and cousin Thomas Teranishi, decided to enlist and avoid the anxiety of waiting for their number to be called. Both Franklin and Thomas left Honolulu in the summer of 1951, to attend basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. After completing basic training, Franklin was sent to Korea and served on an Air Force Douglas C47 plane as a radio operator.
The Story -- On the night of December 26, 1952, at Chinhae Air Base, South Korea, Franklin had just gotten of duty and was ready for dinner and a good night of rest. Weather conditions were not good but as usual members of the 6461st Troop Carrier Squadron, 403 Troop Carrier Group were always ready when called upon. It was cold and temperatures had just dropped to 12 degrees.
Upon arrival at his tent which he shared with other airmen. Sam, his buddy and close friend was terribly sick and not doing well at all. A few minutes into the evening a call came for Sam to report to his duty station as a radio operator on a C47 transport (DC3) operated by the Royal Helena Air Force. Seeing that his friend was in no condition to take the assignment, Franklin volunteer to go and take his friend place.
As the C-47D took off from Chinhae Air Base (K10), South Korea it crashed into the mountains near Haengom-ni killing the entire crew of 14 aboard. Franklin's remains were returned to Honolulu the following spring and were buried with full military honors at the National Cemetery of the Pacific.
Radio Operator, Friend, Hero
Treasure #7
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend."
John 15:13
Our 7th HMA Treasure was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 8, 1932. He was the sixth of seven children. His oldest sister, Clara gave him the name of Franklin in honor of Franklin Delano Roosevelt who was elected President of the United States on that very day.
Franklin's father Shurei Izuo was born in Hiroshima, Japan. His mother, Mitsuko, was born on the North Shore on Kauai in a small village called Kalihiwai. At a very early age she was taken to Japen where she spent her childhood. In 1918 she married Shurei and they moved to Hawaii in 1920.
In 1935, Franklin's father started his business by renting a small desk space in the basement of a former employer. He and his two brothers started Izuo Brothers in 1940 in a building near Beretania and Piikoi Streets. By 1970, Izuo Brothers was the largest supplier of fishing equipment, bait, and supplies.
“Na-san” had a happy childhood. He started school at Queen Kaahumanu Elementary School a few blocks away from HMA. In the 7th grade he entered Hawaiian Mission Elementary at Makiki. He was well liked by his siblings and his friends. He enjoyed sports and did well in school. After graduating from Hawaiian Mission Academy in the first graduating class at the new campus on Pensacola in 1950. Franklin received a business degree from Cannon’s Business College in Honolulu and was offered a job at the Territorial Tax Office. He planned on attending the University of Pennsylvania with hopes of entering the Wharton School of Business. Franklin looked forward to one day working with his father and siblings at Izuo Brothers, Limited.
In 1951, Franklin put his future on hold. The United States was involved in the Korean Conflict and many young men were being drafted into the military service. Franklin and cousin Thomas Teranishi, decided to enlist and avoid the anxiety of waiting for their number to be called. Both Franklin and Thomas left Honolulu in the summer of 1951, to attend basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. After completing basic training, Franklin was sent to Korea and served on an Air Force Douglas C47 plane as a radio operator.
The Story -- On the night of December 26, 1952, at Chinhae Air Base, South Korea, Franklin had just gotten of duty and was ready for dinner and a good night of rest. Weather conditions were not good but as usual members of the 6461st Troop Carrier Squadron, 403 Troop Carrier Group were always ready when called upon. It was cold and temperatures had just dropped to 12 degrees.
Upon arrival at his tent which he shared with other airmen. Sam, his buddy and close friend was terribly sick and not doing well at all. A few minutes into the evening a call came for Sam to report to his duty station as a radio operator on a C47 transport (DC3) operated by the Royal Helena Air Force. Seeing that his friend was in no condition to take the assignment, Franklin volunteer to go and take his friend place.
As the C-47D took off from Chinhae Air Base (K10), South Korea it crashed into the mountains near Haengom-ni killing the entire crew of 14 aboard. Franklin's remains were returned to Honolulu the following spring and were buried with full military honors at the National Cemetery of the Pacific.
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