AFTER ACTION BLOG

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

Four Attributes That Prevented A School Shooting

June 20, 2025
In addition to writing a book to raise awareness about the bravery of...
Communication / Decision-Making / Leadership / Medal of Honor
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

XX Bomber Command Shoutout

June 9, 2025
This B-29 was delivered to the 504th Bombardment Group on 1 November 1944....
Air-Sea Battle of Formosa / XX Bomber Command
USS Franklin In New York Harbor April 1945 80-G-K-4760

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

May 20, 2025
Caption: USS FRANKLIN (CV-13) arrives at New York Navy Yard for repair of...
Anniversaries / Essex-class aircraft carriers / US Navy / USS Franklin
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.

US Cruiser Captains Courageous

May 4, 2025
The USS Franklin is shown with a heavy list after being attacked on...
Battle of Leyte Gulf / Kamikaze attack / Leadership / October 1944 / US Navy / USS Birmingham / USS Franklin / USS Santa Fe / USS Wilkes-Barre
Placque on display at Museum of the Pacific War showing a picture of Franklin and listing her accomplishments.

When Not To Be Harsh On Historians or Authors

April 23, 2025
Some of the many books I am using for my research. None of...
Research
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

March 31, 2025
Father O'Callahan tends to a wounded man on the Franklin's flight deck. Note...
19 march / US Navy / USS Franklin
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

March 25, 2025
President Truman awards Lt. (j.g.) Donald Gary the Medal of Honor. January 1946...
Leadership / Lt. (j.g.) Donald Gary / Lt. Cmdr Joseph T. O'Callahan / Medal of Honor / US Navy / USS Franklin
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

February 26, 2025
One of my intentions in writing a book on the most decorated US...
Books, Movies, Videos, and other media / Emerging Technologies / Radar / US Navy
Captain Leslie Gehres in his Patrol Wing Four headquarters. Photo US Navy

USS Franklin Research Assistance Needed

February 12, 2025
Commodore Leslie Gehres, after being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service...
Captain Leslie Gehres / Emerging Technologies / Essex-class aircraft carriers / USS Franklin
USS Franklin May 4 1944

Write a Letter To Your Mom!

February 4, 2025
Captain Shoemaker writes to a mother who had not received letters from her...
Shipboard Life / US Navy / USS Franklin

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