August 2023 - MGlenn Ross

USS Franklin Aircraft: Corsairs, Helldivers, And More! (Part 1 of 2)

By Glenn | August 31, 2023 |

11 Pilots of Torpedo Squadron 13 (VT-13) in their ready room aboard USS Franklin (CV-13), 24 October 1944, just before the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea. They are watching as the position of the Japanese fleet is posted. VT-13's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Larry French, is second from the left, with a navigation board beside his chair. Note life vests, with die marker pouches, worn by several of these men. Other life vests, and .38 caliber revolvers, are hanging on the bulkhead. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, 80-G-290733

Part 1 of a 2-part series on the aircraft that flew on USS Franklin (CV-13)

Yes, USS Franklin Appears In “Apocalypse ‘45” Documentary

By Glenn | August 11, 2023 |

The DVD Cover of Apocalypse '45 showing USS Franklin wracked by tremendous explosions and towering clouds of smoke and flame

Director Erik Nelson has crafted Apocalypse ’45, a documentary about the final eight months of World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO). Originally released several years ago, it’s now available on DVD. As part of my research on my book about Big Ben and its crew, I watched it last night. What…

Captain Leslie Gehres—Martinet Or Magnificent?

By Glenn | August 6, 2023 |

Captain Leslie Gehres was either respected or hated by the men who served under him.