Francis R. Akins
1361244 Aviation Mach Mate 1st Class
United States Navy
1942-1945
25412485 Warrant Officer
Arkansas National Guard
1949-1966

      Francis Rudolph "Cubby" Akins was born 19 September 1921 in Wynne, Arkansas, the fourth child of Oscar and Fannie E. Robinson Akins. He grew up in Cross County in a family of five boys and one girl. Cubby attended several schools in Cross County. He was married to Clara Jewel Hall on 16 October 1947 in Wynne, Arkansas and they were the parents of two daughters, Phyllis and Claire.
He enlisted in the Navy 3 September 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. He trained at USNTS, Great Lakes, Illinois and US Naval Training School (Aviation Machinist), Memphis, Tennessee and served at ABAT, Norfolk, Virginia.  It was in the Navy that Cubby acquired a keen sense of hearing and feeling for tuning equipment.
At the time of his discharge 7 November 1945, he received a Letter of Commendation from James Forrestal, Secretary of Navy, stating: "I have addressed this letter to reach you after all the formalities of your separation from active service are completed. I have done so because, without formality but as clearly as I know how to say it, I want the Navy's pride in you, which it is my privilege to express, to reach into your civil life and to remain with you always. You have served in the greatest Navy in the world.  It crushed two enemy fleets at once, receiving their surrenders only four months apart. It brought our land-based airpower within bombing range of the enemy, and set our ground armies on the beachheads of final victory. It performed the multitude of tasks necessary to support these military operations. No other Navy at any time has done so much.   For your part in these achievements you deserve to be proud as long as you live. The nation which you served at a time of crisis will remember you with gratitude.  The best wishes of the Navy go with you into civilian life.  Good Luck!"
     After his discharge from the Navy, Cubby went back to school on the G.I. Bill of Rights and finished his education. On 9 March 1949, Cubby enlisted in the Arkansas National Guard, and was trained as a Rifleman M14 and a Sharpshooter. He served with the Wynne Unit, Chief Firing Btry, 13B40, retiring as a Warrant Officer, W-1 on 9 January 1966. He had earned the Qualification Badge, Sharpshooter and Rifle Badge.  While still going to school, he was employed by Hampton Motor Company as a master mechanic and parts man.  Later, he was employed by Murray Chevrolet as an Auto Supervisor and worked there until his death (approximately 12 years).   Cubby died 2 November 1966 in the Cross County Hospital following a massive coronary thrombosis.  He was buried in Cogbill Cemetery .