About M Glenn Ross

USS Franklin Deck Log 16 March 1945-Moving Toward Japan

By Glenn | March 16, 2024 |

USS FRANKLIN deck log 16 MAR 1945 0000 hours to 1600 hours. Log shows ship and Task Force en route to combat area. off the southern coast of Japan.

USS FRANKLIN spent most of 16 March 1945 engaging in underway replenishment and in air operations.

USS Franklin Deck Log 15 March-Enroute To The Empire Area

By Glenn | March 15, 2024 |

USS FRANKLIN deck log 15 MAR 1945 1000 hours to 1800 hours. Log shows ship and Task Force en route to combat area. off the southern coast of Japan.

USS Franklin launches combat air and anti-submarine patrols as she moves toward Japan.

14 MARCH 1945 USS FRANKLIN SAILS TOWARD DESTINY

By Glenn | March 14, 2024 |

14 March 1945 deck log of USS FRANKLIN for the time of 1201 midnight to 1600 hours. Discusses leaving Ulitihi Atoll, other ships accompanying her, gunnery practice, and air operations.

USS FRANKLIN, part of Task Force 58, sails twward Japan. .

USS Franklin Arrives at Ulithi Atoll, 13 March 1945

By Glenn | March 13, 2024 |

Arial photo of a line of US Essex-class carrriers moored parallel to each other in Ulithi Atoll. USS Wasp (CV-18), USS Yorktown (CV-10), USS Hornet (CV-12), USS Hancock (CV-19) and USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). Official U.S. Navy Photograph 80-G-294131

USS Franklin arrives at Ulithi Atol six days before the attack by the Japanese bomber.

World War II US Navy Carrier Classes-And More

By Glenn | February 28, 2024 |

On the left, U.S. Aircraft CArriers: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. On the right, Warbirds of the Sea: A History of Aircraft Carriers & Carrier-Based Aircraft by Walter A Musciano

I recommend this video and these books for those looking for more information on US Navy carrier design and strategy in WWII.

US Navy Pay Grades For Enlisted Men in 1944

By Glenn | February 23, 2024 |

The cover of The BlueJackets' Manual 1944.

This is a quick overview of pay grades for enlisted men in much of World War II.

US Navy Task Force 58 Ship Formations

By Glenn | February 21, 2024 |

Ship formation used during daylight of Task Force 58. In a round circle the carrier flag ship is at the center. To its port and starboard are two other carriers, with a light carrier behind it. Surrounding them are battleships, cruisers and destroyers. This formation, called 5-VD, is used when the probability of air attack is high and that of submarine attack is low.

Brief description of three different formations used by Task Force 38/58 in the latter stages of World War II.

World War II Movies Are Not Always Accurate–That’s Okay

By Glenn | February 12, 2024 |

I am pausing my research into USS Franklin to discuss movies and TV series. I’m in numerous Facebook groups related to history. In one, someone griped that the CGI in the Apple TV series, Masters of the Air, was terrible. Others complained about how the series was historically inaccurate because it incorrectly portrayed certain details.…