Hometown: Dandridge, TN
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Military Honors: Purple Heart
Date of Sacrifice: May 6, 1966 - KIA in Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam
Age: 18
Conflict: Vietnam War, 1959-1975

Mack France Jr. grew up in the small eastern Tennessee town of Dandridge, along the shores of Douglas Lake. His father served as an Army Private in World War II (1939-1945).

Mack Jr. was the only son born to Mack Sr. and Lygatha (Valentine) France. There were five daughters in the France family: Barbara, Judy, Brenda, Marjorie, and Drucella. Marjorie and Drucella died as infants.

Mack France Jr. entered service in October 1964. An infantryman in the U.S. Army, he was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

In 1966, America’s commitment of troops in the Vietnam War (1959-1975) increased to 400,000. PFC France’s 1st Cavalry Division was sent to Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea.

In January of 1966, the U.S. launched “Operation Masher” (later renamed “Operation White Wing”) against enemy forces on the Bong Son Plains. The search-and-destroy operation was the largest cooperation between American, South Vietnamese, and Korean forces to that point in the war.

While the operation was successful, after its conclusion in March 1966 some areas of the region were gradually retaken by Communist forces.

On May 6, 1966, PFC Mack L. France Jr. was killed by gunfire in Binh Dinh Province. He was 18 years old. PFC France Jr. is honored at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., where his name is inscribed on Panel 07E, Line 33.

Sources
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, May 10, 1966: Newport Soldier Killed in War
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund—The Wall of Faces: Mack Lemul France Jr
The Virtual Wall: Mack Lemul France, Jr
East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association: Mack L. France Jr.
HonorStates.org: Mack Lemul France Jr
Vietnam War Commemoration: Operation MASHER/WHITE WING Begins
1st Cavalry Division History: 7th Cavalry Regiment
History.com: Vietnam War Timeline
Defense Technical Information Center: Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. Operation Masher & White Wing
Burial Site: Find a Grave