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Francis T. Giesler (Frank) (June 12, 1911 – January 18, 1984) served in World War II as a Lt. Col. in the 5th Army Ordinance Bomb Disposal Unit station in Africa and Italy. He Received the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious performance of outstanding service in Italy.

Citation for Legion of Merit
Francis T. Giesler, O-385618, Major, Headquarters Fifth Army, Ordnance Secton, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from 7 December 1943 to 31 December 1944. As Fifth Army Staff Bomb Disposal Officer, Major Giesler exhibited outstanding organizational ability and broad knowledge of this field. Through diligent, unstinting effort, often for long tiring hours, and through his wide technical knowledge, he has proposed many features which have been instrumental in improving Bomb Disposal service. His close personal surveillance over the function of Bomb Disposal work has kept the Fifth Army Ordnance Service constantly appraised as well as instilling extreme confidence and devotion to duty in his subordinates. The function of Fifth Army Bomb Disposal was completely his responsibility and to him much of the credit fro its outstanding performance is due. Entered service from Laramie, Wyoming. . ..

Biography
Francis T. Giesler was born on June 6, 1911 in Laramie, Wyoming. He attended Laramie High School and received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wyoming in June 1941. Prior to entering service in World War II, he served as City Engineer for city of Laramie, Wyoming. In addition, he was employed in the office of the Area Engineer at Fort Francis E. Warren in the structural engineering department.

On 15 March, 1942 Giesler entered active duty with the United States Army as a Second Lt. He served as commander of the 236th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company in North Africa and Italy until the end of the war. On returning to the United States he was transferred to Hq. 4th Army as Army Bomb Disposal Officer in Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he was in charge of all bomb disposal units and operations. On 1 June 1946 Giesler was separated from service with the rank of Lt. Col.

Following the war Francis T. Giesler serve in private industry as a civil engineer responsible for many large scale construction projects in Wyoming, Colorado and Canada. He was married to Marie Viola Wapler on 12 June 1942. He had two children, Michael Francis Giesler and Christine Marie Giesler Mason.

Category:American military personnel of World War II Category:Military personnel from Wyoming Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit