Franklin Orth facts for kids

Franklin Lewis Orth (born May 11, 1907 – died January 4, 1970) was an important leader in two big organizations in the United States. He was the Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association (NRA) from 1959 until he passed away. During the 1960s, Orth played a key role in discussions about gun control laws in the U.S. He also served as the President of the United States Olympic Committee from April 1969 until his death.

Early Life and Education

Franklin Orth was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1907. He went to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned his first degree in 1928. Later, he studied law at the University of Wisconsin Law School and became a lawyer in 1931.

Military Service in World War II

During World War II, Orth served as an officer in the United States Army. He rose to the rank of Colonel. He worked with General Frank Merrill, whose famous unit, known as Merrill's Marauders, was known for its missions in the jungles of Burma.

Career Highlights

After the war, Franklin Orth worked for the U.S. government in different roles. He held positions at the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. He also served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army.

Leading the National Rifle Association

In 1959, Orth joined the National Rifle Association (NRA). He stayed with the organization for the rest of his life. When he started, the NRA mainly focused on teaching people how to shoot well and promoting shooting as a hobby. It wasn't very involved in politics.

However, during Orth's time, the NRA became more active in political debates. This happened because there were many calls for new gun control laws in the 1960s. This was a time of political unrest, including the assassinations of important leaders like U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.

Orth was generally against strict gun control measures. However, he was more open to some rules than later NRA leaders. For example, he supported banning cheap, low-quality handguns often called Saturday night specials. In 1964, he also agreed with limits on buying guns through the mail. This was important because Lee Harvey Oswald had bought the rifle used in the Kennedy assassination by mail. Orth even said that "any sane American" should not object to including the type of rifle used to kill the president in a new law.

Orth did not fully support the 1968 Gun Control Act. But he wrote in the American Rifleman magazine that even though some parts of the law seemed too strict, the law as a whole was something "sportsmen of America can live with."

President of the U.S. Olympic Committee

In April 1969, Franklin Orth was chosen to be the President of the United States Olympic Committee. He led this important sports organization until he passed away.

Personal Life and Legacy

Franklin Lewis Orth died from a heart attack on January 4, 1970, in Bethesda, Maryland. He is remembered for his leadership roles in both the NRA and the U.S. Olympic Committee during a time of significant change in America.