Franklin J. Camper (born 1946) is a former American soldier and known mercenary. He has written both non-fiction and fiction books about his service in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP), and also books related to military tactics and how to survive as a mercenary. Prior to becoming an author, Frank Camper spent almost 2 decades as a mercenary. Several newspapers and radio stations reported that he was involved in the Air India bombings in the 1980s, noting that he trained one of the Sikh bombers at his mercenary school headquartered in Dolomite,AKA "The Bunker". The actual "mercenary school" was located about 20 miles west of Dolomite, Alabama. Alabama Camper stated that he was unaware of the Sikh's plans.
On May 21, 1986 Camper was arrested on suspicion of conspiring with two California women - Charlotte Wychoff and Elizabeth Leta Hamilton - to set two car bombs in a failed attempt to kill Robyn Richoff and Harriet Russo. The attempted victims were disgruntled employees of Hamilton and Wychoff. Camper was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his part in the bombings.
The FBI has acknowledged that Camper was personally responsible for saving the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's life in 1985. Prime Minister Gandhi was in the US on a diplomatic mission when the incident occurred.
Camper's life story was allegedly optioned for a feature film, however to date it hasn't yet been released. He is currently retired and living in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife.
Books by Camper
- The Mission (Published 1979 by Manor Books)
- Sandcastles (Published 1980 by Manor Books)
- Mercenary Operations Manuel (Published 1986 by Desert Publishing)
- L.R.R.P. The Professional (Published 1988 by Dell Publishing)
- Merc: Professional (published 1989 by Dell Publishing)
- Long Range Recon Patrol (Publuished Apr 1990 by Namiki Shobo Japan)
- Covert Operations (Published 1991 by Ashai Sonarama Japan)
- Special Operations (Published 1991 by Ashai Sonarama Japan)
- Shamal (Published 1992 by Ashai Sonarama Japan)
- High Seas Security (Published 1993 by Loompanics Inc)
- Live To Spend It A Mercenary Guide for the 90s (Published 1994 by Delta Press)
- The MK/Ultra Secret (Published 1997 by Christopher Scott Publishing)
- Mindbenders (published 1999 by Zinn Communication)