USS Franklin Deck Log 23 March 1945-Repairs Continue
This is the tenth in a series of 11 posts transcribing the USS Franklin deck logs from 14 March to 24 March 1945. She had left Ulithi, the US Navy’s largest base in World War II, as part of Task Force 58. Their mission was to destroy as many Japanese air and naval assets as possible before the April 1 invasion of Okinawa. On 19 March, a single bomber attacked Franklin. The resulting conflagration killed more than 800 men, wounding hundreds of others. As the crew rallied to save the ship, other ships came to her aid. There were many examples of bravery and leadership that day acknowledged by the US Navy, making her crew the most decorated in US Navy history. Two men would receive the Medal of Honor, and more than 200 other awards and letters of commendation would be presented.
But first, the crew had to get the ship to safe waters.
0000-0400
Steaming enroute from the Empire Area to Ulithi atoll, Caroline islands as part of T. G. 58. 2 on base course 150 ( t ), 149 (pgc), speed 20 knots. FRANKLIN is on independent unit steaming south of the T. G. with 3 escorts on stations as follows: USS MILLER ( 300 0 ), MARSHALL( 3110 ), HUNT ( 3050 ). T. G. 58. 2 consists of the USS WASP (O. T. C. And C. T. G.), ENTERPRISE, SANTA FE plus five escorts from DesRon 52 on circle 4. Ship is darkened in condition of readiness III, material condition YOKE with both modified due to battle damage. Ship is steaming under boilers Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 which are turning shafts 2 and 3 through the main steam line. Shafts 1 and 4 are being propelled by exhaust steam supply. 0051 changed course to 2110 ( t ), 209 (pgc ). 0115 change course to 180 ( t ), 174 (pgc). 0131 change course to 150 open ( t ), 149 (pgc).
-Lieutenant J. B. Barr
0400-0800
Steaming as before. 0600 lighted ship. 0740 changed course to 145 ( t ), 144 (pgc).
-Lieutenant C. G. Durr
0800-1200
Steaming as before. 0930 #212” searchlight back in commission.
–Lieutenant E. L. Fox
1200-1600
Steaming as before. 1400 held quarters for muster. 1418 changed speed to 18 knots and made preparations for USS STEPHEN POTTER (DD 538 ) to come alongside. 1440 POTTER alongside to starboard. 1445 POTTER cast off after completion of transfer of mail. 1448 change speed to 20 knots. 1500 salvaged Sugar George radar antenna placed on port side of stack and put in commission along with P. P. I. on bridge.*
Lieutenant M. M. Tappen
1600-1800
Steaming as before. 1630 mount #7 40mm reported manned and in condition for firing. 1645 Sugar George radar repaired and returned to operation with P. P. I. Cut in on bridge.
–Lieutenant J. B. Barr
1800-2000
Steaming as before. 1803 darkened ship.
-C. G. Durr
2000-2400
Steaming as before. 2013 changed course to 150 ( t ), 149 (pgc). 2043 change speed to 20 knots.
-Lieutenant E. L. Fox
*”Sugar George” was the phonetic pronunciation for the SG radar, which searched the surface for contacts. “P.P.I.” was the radar scope used to display the contacts from the SG radar.
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 discuss the lessons we can learn in leadership and decision-making and the changes the US Navy made because of those lessons.
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