March 2023 - MGlenn Ross

How USS Franklin Got Its Name

By Glenn | March 28, 2023 |

Operating near the Marianas, 1 August 1944. Photographed from USS Hornet (CV-12). Franklin is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 6a. At this time, Design 6a was applied only to her starboard side. She wore Design 3a on the port side. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Catalog #: 80-G-367248

There is disagreement among historians and the public over how the USS Franklin was named. Was it named after Ben Franklin, a battle, or another ship? Let’s take a look at the naming convention for carriers to see if we can answer the question.

19 March 1945 Timeline

By Glenn | March 19, 2023 |

Father O'Callahan tends to a wounded man on the Franklin's flight deck. Credit: Naval History and Heritage Command

Morning 18 March (19 March off the coast of Japan) is the day we remember and honor the heroism of the crew of USS Franklin. Coincidentally, it’s also the anniversary of Father O’Callahan’s passing in 1964. Using the USS Franklin CV-13 War Damage Report, I’ve created the timeline of some of the events that occurred…

Radar’s Role On 19 March 1945

By Glenn | March 3, 2023 |

Japanese Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-Kai Fighter

We may never know why the Japanese bomber didn’t appear on the radar screens of USS Franklin; this post discusses possible factors that may have come into play.