Michael Franzak

Michael "Zak" Franzak is an American writer. He is the author of A Nightmare's Prayer, his memoir. Currently, Franzak lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, son, and daughter. He joined the Navy in 1981. Franzak attended boot camp, and then served as an aviation ordinanceman with VF-1 aboard the USS Ranger and USS Kitty Hawk.

In 2005, Franzak received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" for his combat action on August 25, 2003. Franzak earned this particular award for his "heroism while participating in aerial flight, while serving as pilot of an AV-8B Harrier" in Bagram, Afghanistan.

Franzak donated a portion of his royalties to TAPS, a nonprofit organization assisting families and friends of fallen soldiers.