Capt. Franklyn Hall Stratton

Captain Franklyn Hall Stratton, a decorated World War II and Korean War fighter pilot, will be laid to rest on October 10 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, returning home 74 years after making the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Born September 30, 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Al F. Stratton and Delta Hall Stratton, Hall grew up with a spirit of adventure and service. He graduated from Southwest High School and the University of Missouri before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on March 1, 1944.

During World War II, Captain Stratton distinguished himself in the Philippines, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two Gold Stars. After the war, he worked as a pilot for Saudi Arabian Airlines, but when the Korean War began 11 months later in August 1950, he readily volunteered for active service alongside Harry Colmery, Jr. of Topeka. According to his younger brother, William Robert Stratton, "Hall was never happier than when he could settle back into an F-4U Corsair."

Serving with Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Captain Stratton became known as the eyes of the squadron, earning acclaim for his exceptional ability to spot camouflaged enemy tanks and trucks—a talent he attributed to his partial color-blindness. As part of the celebrated "ACME Wrecking Crew,” he, Colmery and their fellow pilots destroyed over 30 trucks and tanks in a single day, playing a crucial role in demolishing enemy vehicles and artillery.

On June 16, 1951, Captain Stratton was part of a four-plane Corsair mission bombing a strategic highway bridge used for transporting enemy infantry, vehicles, and munitions. After spotting evidence of Chinese vehicle movement further north in the valley, he received permission to descend for closer observation. On his third orbit, his F4U-4B was struck by small arms fire from a ridgeline 200 to 300 feet below. With his aircraft engulfed in flames along its entire underside, Captain Stratton bailed out and successfully deployed his parachute. His aircraft crashed into the valley and exploded on impact. Upon landing, he was captured by North Korean military personnel.

The Marine Corps declared Captain Stratton killed in action in 1954 and awarded him a Gold Star in place of a second Distinguished Flying Cross for his valor and sacrifice.

For decades, Captain Stratton's remains were among those labeled unknown and interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Hawaii. In 2022, his remains were disinterred for DNA analysis and identification, finally bringing Captain Stratton back to Kansas City for burial.

In addition to his parents, Captain Stratton left behind his younger brother, William Robert Stratton, who kept his memory alive through stories of his college days and wartime adventures. He is survived by Hall Stratton (Alicia) of Oak View, California, Anna Stratton of Washington DC, Sheryl Stratton of Arlington, Virginia; and Shelby Stratton (Emily) of Weilerbach, Germany, who grew up hearing tales of their Uncle Hall's courage and dedication to country.