The William J. Francy Memorial Award was donated in 2008 by the USNA Alumni Association Knoxville-Oak Ridge Chapter in memory of Captain William Johnston Francy, CEC, USN (’46).
Each year the Francy Memorial Award recognizes a member of the U. S. Naval Academy Lightweight Crew who exemplifies the most drive, determination, and perseverance to better themselves and the entire rowing program.
Captain Francy attended The Ohio State University for one year before his acceptance to the Naval Academy with the three-year Class of 1946, which graduated on 6 June 1945. Francy rowed three years for Navy and was a varsity letter winner his first class year.
Following graduation he reported for sea duty, first on USS Nicholson (DD-442) and then USS Missouri (BB-63). His sea duty tour was followed with two years of study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) from which he graduated in September 1948 with a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering. While at RPI he lettered in both football and lacrosse.
Upon completion of his studies at RPI, Francy served at the Naval Disciplinary Barracks, San Pedro, California before being assigned to the Civil Administration Unit, Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands as the Public Works Officer; however, his tour was cut short when he was ordered first to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School for one year and then to the University of Illinois for doctoral instruction in structural dynamics.
After completion of his doctoral coursework Francy was ordered to the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was stationed with Sandia Corporation and served as a Weapon Effects Liaison Officer. While at Sandia he completed his doctoral thesis in civil engineering and in May 1954 received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.
After receiving his Ph.D. Francy served three CEC tours of duty and in 1964 was then ordered to report to the Naval Academy where he taught third class mechanical engineering for one year before becoming Head of the Engineering Department. Francy led the Academy’s planning for building modernization on the Yard that included planning for the Nimitz Library and Rickover Hall.
Francy served a final tour of duty in Saigon, South Vietnam as Deputy for Operations, Officer in Charge of Construction, Vietnam, where after a year–and after twenty-five years active duty–Captain Francy retired from the naval service.
Following his retirement Francy was employed with Westinghouse at Indian Point Nuclear Plant, Westchester County, New York and later in Jacksonville, Florida, and then with Union Carbide and Lockheed Martin in Oak Ridge, Tennessee where he retired and settled down in February 1991. Francy was an active member of the USNA Alumni Association Knoxville-Oak Ridge Chapter.Please send any corrections to the NavyLights Staff Historian.
| Year | Name | 2008 | Joshua M. Vukelich ’09 |
| 2009 | Nathaniel Bishop ’09 |
| 2010 | Julian Bowling ’10 |
| 2011 | Ed King ’11 |
| 2012 | Charlie Harty ’12 |
| 2013 | Joseph Hussey ’13 |
| 2014 | Cyle Schultz ’14 |
| 2015 | Nicholas Connelly ’15 |
| 2016 | Thomas Coffin ’16 |
| 2017 | William Herbert ’17 |
| 2018 | Samuel M. Haber ’18 |
| 2019 | Benjamin W. Skinner ’19 |
| 2020 | Benjamin Capannari ’20 |
| 2021 | Howard E. Francis ’21 |
| 2022 | Myles P. Knight ’22 |
| 2023 | Lucas A. Schatz ’23 |
| 2024 | Kelly Bye ’24 |
| 2025 |