USS Franklin Deck Log 24 March 1945-Return to Ulithi
This is the eleventh of eleven posts focusing on the USS Franklin deck logs from 14 March to 24 March 1945. After the ship arrived, some of the men who had left it (blown overboard, jumped to escape flames, or left because they thought they heard the order to “abandon ship”) returned. These were men who Executive Officer Joe Taylor and other senior officers believed were needed to man the ship for its return to a shipyard for repair. They would soon learn that, at best, their captain considered them second-class citizens aboard the ship.
0000-400
Steaming enroute from the Empire Area to Ulithi Island on course 150 ( t ), 149 (pgc), with boilers Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 in use, speed 20 knots. FRANKLIN screened by 3 destroyers in a detached unit of T. G. 58.2 as follows: WASP (C. T. G. and O. T. C.), ENTERPRISE, SANTA FE, and screening destroyers and is steaming independently. Ship is darkened, condition YOKE set modified to conform to battle damage. All batteries in commission are manned.
-Lieutenant M. M. Tappen
0400-0800
Steaming as before. 1613 changed speed to 15 knots and steamed at various speeds while calibrating speed curve for two shaft propulsion. 0630 held quarters for muster.
-Lieutenant J. B. Barr
0800-1200
Steaming as before. 0853 completed calibrating speed curve for two shaft propulsion. Changed course to 155 ( t ), 154 (pgc) changed speed to 21 knots. 0902 tested whistle and siren and found both out of commission as a result of battle damage. 1035 commenced steaming on various courses and at various speeds to take station 2270 in formation with the USS WASP ( 2000 ), SANTA FE (guide 0000 ), ENTERPRISE ( 2090 ) with escorting destroyers on screening circle. Axis for heavy ships 090 ( t ). Secured the steam to shafts 1 and 4 and commenced using shafts 2 and 3 safely while maneuvering in formation. 1105 landfall, Ulithi Islands bearing 192 ( t ), distance 12 miles. 1115 set the special sea details. On station ( 2700 ), speed 15 knots. Changed course to 180 ( t ), 179 ( pgc ). 1158 changed speed to 15 knots. Changed course to 170 ( t ), 169 (pgc). 1152 change course to 030 ( t ), 029 (pgc).
-Lieutenant C. G. Durr
1200-1600
Steaming as before. 1212 change course to 200 ( t ), 199 (pgc). 1219 USS WASP assumed the guide. Formed in column as follows: WASP, ENTERPRISE, FRANKLIN, AND SANTA FE, distance 1500 yards. Destroyers formed flank screen. 1222 changed speed to 18 knots. 1227 changed course to 225 ( t ), 224 (PGC). 12035 change course to 185 ( t ), 184 (PGC). 1240 change course to two two 5 ( t ), 2/24 (pgc). 1249 changed course to 260 ( t ), 259 (pgc). 1252 Falalop Island Tower abeam to starboard, distance 3 miles. 1258 commenced proceeding independently to enter the fleet anchorage, Ulithi island. 1315 changed course to 299 ( t ), 298 (pgc) and proceeded up Mugai Channel. 1330 changed speed to 10 knots, commenced steaming on various courses at various speeds towards anchorage. 1406 anchored in Berth 6, Ulithi Anchorage on following bearings: Beacon J, 310.5; Beacon H, 336.5; Beacon G, 003.9, with 90 fathoms to port anchor in 22 fathoms of water, coral bottom. 1414 secured main engines; set condition III in all serviceable ships batteries. 1422 let fires die out under boilers No. 7 and 8. 1431 let fires die out under boiler No. 6; Boiler No.5 steaming for auxiliary purposes. 1455 Lieutenant (jg) Jennings and party of four men reported aboard to remove unexploded rocket head.
-Lieutenant F. S. Robertson, Jr.
1600-2000
Anchored as before. 1610 Lieut. M. C. Woodburn, 194218 ) accompanied by the following officers and men reported aboard from the USS HUNT to resume their regular duties: Lieut. R. H. Frank, (110240) Lieut. W. McGuire ( 145113 ); Lieut. J.S. Walker, ( 103191 ); Lt. (jg) B.O Robinson, ( 131810),;[sic] Lt. (jg) Sheridan, (294622 ); Lt. (jg) D. W. Kallstrom, (292508); Cox, CBM, 372 03 50; Gentry, R. G., CBM, 262 29 94, and Sheppard, CBM, 372 03 50. 1625 pursuant to orders of C. T. G. 58.2 dispatch 232327 of March 1945, Lieutenant. C. E. Mikronis( 116860 ), USNR, reported for duty from the USS MARSHALL. 1657 unexploded rocket head was jettisoned over the side. 1825 Lieutenant (jg) Jennings and bomb disposal crew of four men left the ship. 1851 pursuant to orders of C. T. G. 58.2 dispatch 232325 of March 1945, Lieutenant Commander D.V. Wengrovius ( 78781), USN (in charge) returned aboard with the following officers to resume their regular duties: Lieut. W. M. Curtis ( 87305 ); Lieut. E. B. Rogers, (120530); Lieut. A. P. Couch, (131494 ); Lieut. W. S. Emmons, ( 129272 ); Lieutenant. D.W. Cheadle, ( 88136 ); Lieut. H. W. Artz( 119461 ); Lieut. D. J. Fitzgerald, ( 88136); Lt. (jg). S.P. Myerson, (254209 ); Lt. (jg) M. C. Walker, (139908 ); Lt. (jg) D. M. Mire, (373322 ); Ens. J. M. Tucker,. (383705 ); Mach. A.G. Ensign, (364769 ); ELECT. J. J. Wolf (364670 ); CARP. R. S. Byrnes, ( 427118) and a civilian war correspondent A. McCoy. 1922 completed transfer of the following officers and men to the USS BOUNTIFUL: Lt. Comdr.. H. A Magnusson; Rappe, W.B. F2c,; Kniss, W. E., S2c,; Percival, T. A.; EM2c.
–Lieutenant (junior grade) F. A. Zillmer
2000-2400
Anchored as before. 2330 the following men returned aboard from the USS. HUNT (DD674) having been rescued at sea on the 19 March: Smith, L. E., RM2c; Shumaker, R. J, BM1c; Vallina, L. A. MM1c; Pushee, H. L., S1c; Honcik, E. L.; MM2c; Caputo, R. J., F1c; Bolduc, L. J., S1c; Mesier, C. B., CMM; Brown, H. A., CGM; Erb, K. E., S2c; Baas, L., S2c; Hodges, M. C. PFC; Mignacco, J., FSgt; Kiser, W.H., GySgt; Martin, A., CGM; Kozusko, M. J., PFC; Trause, A. D., PFC; Oliver, T. E.; PFC; McManus, W. E. S1c; Dischind, A.J., PFC; Cropley, K.A., S2c; Goldman, J. L., BM1c; Campbell, C. R., RM2c; Overholt, R.E., Cpl; Kerschner, K. A. HA1c; Lockwood, C. F., S2c; Soloway, S. S. F1c; Cavallo, G., Y3c; O’Brien, W. F. PFC; Reynolds, W. W., AerM2c; Bonitatious, L. E., S1c; Newcome, H. W., S1c; Rowan, W. PFC; Stewart, J. E., MM1c; Kenney, R. L. PFC; Peppel, F. C., S1c; Fort, J. SM2c; Meers, R. J. PFC; Harlan, S. R. PFC; Umshler, M., PhM2c; Hicks, B. J. S2c; Paul, H. L. CWT; Gosselin, G. P., CMM; Homko, H. S2c; Reagor, J. M. GM1c, Parsons, W. R. CGM; Ferl, F. X. S1c; Sikora, T. J., PFC; Fennen, F. J. S1c; Stinson, J. F. F1c; Pickens, H. A., F1c; Spalinski, C. J., RM2c; Pinkowski, C. J., S2c; Scott, F. B., S1c, Frasman, J. E. CWT; Kluttz, F. L., CFC; Julian, R. S. CRM; Madison, J. M., F2c; Jorgensen, H. D. RM1c; Eaves, C. R. EM3c; Guy, L., R. S2c; Blackstock, C. O., S2c; Geissler, T. E., S1c; Grinnell, F. W., SK2c; Trainor, J. F. SK2c; Chapman, A. F. CWT; Kopp, R. W., CY; Titus, N. E. CPhM; Giltner, R. H., HA1c; Kloemoken, L. H., HA1c; Gleason, L. F. AMM2c; Pederson, R. C. PhM2c; Hearnes, R. W., S1c; Procaccio, E. H., CWT; Stonegraber, L. A. S2c; Urban, C. T. WT1c; Bohall, C. A., CMM; McKee, G. CMM; Walker, L. E., TMV1c; Link, J. C., S1c; Paulson, V. R., S1c; Rockwell, J. A. F2c; Haine, D. G., S1c; Varisco, J. D. S2c; 2400 LCM-31 reported for duty from boat pool.
-Lieutenant (jg) E. R. Wassman
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