USS Franklin 19 March 1945 Deck Log-“…Took Two Bomb Hits…”

This is the fifth in a series of posts highlighting the contents of the deck log of USS Franklin between 14 March and 24 March 1945. On 14 March, part of Task Force 58, she left the US Navy base at Ulithi en route to the Japanese coast. The task force’s mission was to destroy as many Japanese air and naval assets as possible to lessen the danger to the Okinawan invasion force. Although seriously damaged, she returned to Ulithi on 24 March under her own power. She became the most damaged carrier not to sink during World War II.

0000-0400

Lieutenant E. L. Fox recorded that from midnight to 0400 on 19 March 1945, Franklin was in cruising disposition 5-VN. She started the new day in readiness condition III and material condition YOKE. III was the most relaxed readiness condition, YOKE was the middle of three material conditions with some watertight doors and hatches closed. At 41 minutes after midnight, she went to torpedo defense as an unidentified aircraft (bogie) was nearby. Material condition ZEBRA (all watertight doors and hatches closed), was set below the third deck in case of a torpedo hit. Throughout the next four hours, the ship went through a variety of course changes while varying her speed. She occasionally zigzagged. At 0326 went to torpedo defense as a bogie was spotted. The crew was sent to general quarters at 0336 and material condition ZEBRA was set for all decks and levels.

0400-1600

Lieutenant M. M. Tappen took over the log during the Morning Watch and held it through the Afternoon Watch. Franklin launched her first plane at 0535, finishing at 05545. As dawn approached, the formation changed to cruising disposition 5-VD. Lt. Tappen recorded that ‘“Bennet, N. J., 623 14 12, AMM2c, was buried at sea.” (he had been poisoned by drinking “torpedo juice.”) “At 0657, commenced launching aircraft of strike 2B.”

0708-0840

0708 Ship Under Attack By Enemy Aircraft. Took two bomb hits, first bomb hit flight deck frame 68, exploded hangar deck frame 82; second bomb hit flight deck frame 133, exploded frame 142. 0709 general quarters. 0712 set condition ZEBRA. At the time of the attack 36 VF (fighters) and 9 VB (bombers) were air borne (sic). 0725 (about) ship steadied on 355 (t). 0800 Rear Admiral R. Davison and staff were transferred to U.S. S. Miller (DD535). 0815 assumed starboard list 3 degrees. Fires and explosions occuring throught (sic) the ship. 0840 starboard list increased to 6 degrees.

0931-1600

The light cruiser, Santa Fe, arrived at 0931 and began removing wounded. At 0945 the ship lost steering and all internal communications “except to steering aft from bridge.” The captain ordered the engines set to 8 knots and gave the crew permission to abandon the engine rooms due to smoke and heat. At 0952 the aft 5″/38 magazines exploded. The ship’s list increased to 13 degrees. The ship was now dead in the water. At 1050, Santa Fe returned for a second time, coming alongside and, as that ship’s action report later stated, “held steadfast to the Franklin.” All unnecessary and wounded personnel were removed to Santa Fe.

At 1254 a Judy made a bombing run but the bomb exploded harmlessly on the starboard side. At 1404, the heavy cruiser Pittsburgh took Franklin in tow.

1600-2000

Lieutenant J. B. Barr took over the log at 1600. He recorded that by 1813 the ship was darkened except for one small fire at frame 200. All other fires had been extinguished.

2000-2400

Lieutenant C. G. Durr authored the log for the Evening Watch. At 2100 the first party entered No. 3 fireroom. Counterflooding began to reduce the list. 2200 lighted fires under boiler No. 5. Around 2200, USS Miller came along the port quarter in an effort to extinguish the fire in the after part of the ship.

At the end of 19 March, Franklin was still afloat and, the next day, steaming under her own power. But 804 men would die, and hundreds more would be wounded. Many of the survivors would heal physically but would suffer from PTSD for the remainder of their lives. Their suffering was not helped by the actions of the captain, who treated more than a hundred of them as outcasts as he believed they left the ship without permission. In fact, many of them had been blown into the water or had to choose “between the devil and the deep blue sea,” as onrushing flames compelled them to jump into the ocean to save themselves. In the days to come, the ship’s crew would receive 392 awards. These awards included two Medals of Honor, 20 Navy Crosses, 22 Silver Stars, 110 Bronze Stars, 5, Gold Stars in lieu of a second Bronze Star, and 233 letters of commendation. Captain Gehres said the number should be higher as many other deserving men did not receive awards.

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Did you arrive here via a search engine? I am the author of the forthcoming book, Heroes By The Hundreds: The Story of the USS Franklin (CV-13). In addition to writing about the bravery of the crews that saved her, I will write about the lessons we can learn in leadership and decision-making. I’ll also write about the changes the US Navy made because of those lessons learned.

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-Glenn