About M Glenn Ross

Pearl Harbor Oral Histories of Medical Personnel

By Glenn | July 23, 2025 |

Sailors in a motor launch rescue a survivor from the water alongside the sunken USS West Virginia (BB-48) during or shortly after the Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor. USS Tennessee (BB-43) is inboard of the sunken battleship. Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Catalog #: USA C-5904

When Pearl Harbor was attacked, US medical personnel sprang into action. This video contains several of their oral histories.

Courage Under Fire: Dr. Samuel Sherman’s Heroism Aboard the USS Franklin

By Glenn | July 10, 2025 |

USS Franklin listing after being attacked on March 19k 1945

Several days ago, I read an oral history that filled in some missing blanks for me. In 1993, Dr. Samuel Sherman was interviewed by historian Jan Herman about Sherman’s experiences on USS Franklin during the 19 March 1945 attack. I obtained a copy from Anderson Clark, who is working on a documentary about the families…

Amelia Earhart And John Wooden—Connected To A Carrier

By Glenn | July 2, 2025 |

Photo taken 4 May 1944 at Newport News Shipyard

Amelia Earhart disappeared somewhere in the western Pacific Ocean 88 years ago today. Accompanied by her navigator, Fred Noonan, she was attempting to be the first woman to fly around the world. This morning, NBC’s Today Show featured a story about a new theory that may lead to the discovery of part of the wreckage…

Attributes That Prevented A School Shooting

By Glenn | June 20, 2025 |

Citizen's Medal of Honor Awardee Molly Hudgens shown wearing the award around her neck.

(After again listening to the podcast mentioned below, I have revised this blog post, originally published on June 20, 2025. -June 27, 2025) Are you interested in improving your skills in leadership, communication, and decision-making? If so, I have a podcast recommendation for you! In my research of the crew of the USS Franklin, a…

XX Bomber Command Shoutout

By Glenn | June 9, 2025 |

Crewmen on USS Hancock (CV-19) move 3.5-inch rockets (with 5-inch diameter warheads) to planes, while preparing for strikes on Formosa, 12 October 1944. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Catalog #: 80-G-281338

Five Crewmen of USS Hancock load rockets prior to a mission against Japanese airbases on Formosa. October 1944.

May 1944 and May 1945 Were Notable Months For USS Franklin CV-13

By Glenn | May 20, 2025 |

USS Franklin In New York Harbor April 1945 80-G-K-4760

USS Franklin (CV-13) arriving in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. News of her attack would be released on May 18, 1945.

US Cruiser Captains Courageous

By Glenn | May 4, 2025 |

The cruiser, USS Birmingham, is shown with damage to her starboard hull caused when USS Princeton's magazine exploded while Birmingham was 50 feet away.

Cruiser USS Birmingham was only lightly damaged while 50 feet away from USS Princeton when her aft magazine exploded. Unfortunately 229 men died from being struck by debris and shrapnel. Anothe400 were wounded many severely.

When Not To Be Harsh On Historians or Authors

By Glenn | April 23, 2025 |

Placque on display at Museum of the Pacific War showing a picture of Franklin and listing her accomplishments.

Bottom line up front: Do not condemn the historians or authors who writes detailed histories for one or two minor mistakes. Yes, you have read dozens of books on that particular topic, and now you notice that the author misstated a fact or stated an opinion with which you disagree. If the fact or the…

Officers’ Clothing Complicates Communication On USS Franklin

By Glenn | March 31, 2025 |

US Navy Carrier USS Franklin on fire 19 March 1945. Dense smoke rises from fires aft of the ship's island.

I have read many stories about the events of World War II. Still, I have only read one in which officers’ clothing contributed to a massive communications breakdown between captain and crew. Many other US Navy ships were damaged or sunk in the Pacific Theater during World War II. I can find no record of…