AFTER ACTION BLOG

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

Officers’ Clothing Complicates Communication On USS Franklin

Father O'Callahan tends to a wounded man on the Franklin's flight deck. Note...
Aft-5 inch gun mount on fire. Picture taken from USS Santa Fe Credit: Naval History and Heritage Command

National Medal of Honor Day March 25, 2025

President Truman awards Lt. (j.g.) Donald Gary the Medal of Honor. January 1946...
Photo taken below flight deck level showing A Curtiss SB2C-3 "Hell-diver" bomber taking a "wave-off" while attempting to land in March 1945. Landing signal officer's platform is in the foreground

My World War II Knowledge Broadens

One of my intentions in writing a book on the most decorated US...
Captain Leslie Gehres in his Patrol Wing Four headquarters. Photo US Navy

USS Franklin Research Assistance Needed

Commodore Leslie Gehres, after being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service...
USS Franklin May 4 1944

Write a Letter To Your Mom!

Captain Shoemaker writes to a mother who had not received letters from her...
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

Aircraft Carrier: An RKO-Pathé Documentary

This Is America, a series of documentary shorts, released Aircraft Carrier, in April...
Photo taken below flight deck level showing A Curtiss SB2C-3 "Hell-diver" bomber taking a "wave-off" while attempting to land in March 1945. Landing signal officer's platform is in the foreground

Landing Signal Officer On USS Franklin

Cover of the book, Their Life In My Hands by C. Edgar Mikronis....
Captain Leslie Gehres in his Patrol Wing Four headquarters. Photo US Navy

Was Captain Leslie Gehres, USN, Ill-Treated?

Commodore Leslie Gehres, after being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service...
USS Franklin In New York Harbor April 1945 80-G-K-4760

Navy Day Does Without USS Franklin

If you ever wonder how to respond to an ill-conceived request from a...
View of the George W. Bush Gallery at the National Museum of the Pacific War (Author's photo.)

Research Visit to the National Museum of the Pacific War

View of the George W. Bush Gallery at the National Museum of the...