USS Franklin

The ship is floated out of her building dock immediately after christening, at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company shipyard, Newport News, Virginia, on 14 October 1943. Note WAVES officers in the foreground. The WAVES' Director, Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, USNR, was Franklin's sponsor. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

USS Franklin Anniversary–And An Afternoon At The Museum (of the Pacific War)

December 7, 2023
When people think of December 7 as an anniversary, they usually remember the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. (And...
The Museum of the Pacific War / USS Franklin
Selection of the books I'm using for research

Books About USS Franklin Or Its Crew

November 29, 2023
Recently I read a story about actor Sean Connery. He was asked what moment played a critical role in helping...
Books, Movies, Videos, and other media / USS Franklin / What I am Reading
Map of the various battles fought between 24-26 October 1944 in the Philippines.

The Battles Continue: USS Franklin 15-29 October 1944

October 21, 2023
Map of the various battles fought between 24-26 October 1944 in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of Gdr at en.wikipedia This...
Air Group 13 / Battle of Leyte Gulf / October 1944 / USS Franklin
A crowed deck of planes, pilots, and crews of Air Group 13 in October 1944. The first nine are Hellcat fighters, the ones in the back are Helldivers and Avengers. Franklin would be struck by a Kamikaze on 30 October 1944.

10-15 October 1944: USS Franklin Attacks

October 10, 2023
Air Group-13 Hellcats, Avengers, and Helldivers prepare to strike the Japanese in the Philippines in October 1944. October, the final...
October 1944 / USS Franklin
Men dressed in odd clothing preparing to participate in the Crossing of the Line Ceremony

USS Franklin Initiated Into The “Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep”

September 20, 2023
Cast of characters during a Crossing the Line Ceremony George Prater Collection, Naval History And Heritage Command 2014.80.01 Big Ben...
USS Franklin
F4U-1D of VF-5 on USS Franklin (CV-13) 1945 receiving permission to take off from member of the deck crew. US Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation. The white diamond on the plane's tail identifies it as being from Franklin.

USS Franklin Fields More Fighters (Part 2 of 2)

September 9, 2023
(Read part 1: USS Franklin Aircraft: Corsairs, Helldivers, And More!) After finishing her repairs from the October 30, 1944 kamikaze...
Air Group5 / USS Franklin
11 Pilots of Torpedo Squadron 13 (VT-13) in their ready room aboard USS Franklin (CV-13), 24 October 1944, just before the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea. They are watching as the position of the Japanese fleet is posted. VT-13's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Larry French, is second from the left, with a navigation board beside his chair. Note life vests, with die marker pouches, worn by several of these men. Other life vests, and .38 caliber revolvers, are hanging on the bulkhead. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, 80-G-290733

USS Franklin Aircraft: Corsairs, Helldivers, And More! (Part 1 of 2)

August 31, 2023
Pilots of Torpedo Squadron 13 (VT-13) in their ready room aboard USS Franklin (CV-13), 24 October 1944, just before the...
Air Group 13 / Air Group 5 / USS Franklin
The DVD Cover of Apocalypse '45 showing USS Franklin wracked by tremendous explosions and towering clouds of smoke and flame

Yes, USS Franklin Appears In “Apocalypse ‘45” Documentary

August 11, 2023
The photo on the cover is of USS Franklin on fire after being struck by bombs on 19 March 1945....
Books, Movies, Videos, and other media / USS Franklin

Captain Leslie Gehres—Martinet Or Magnificent?

August 6, 2023
Commodore Leslie Gehres shown with his Distinguished Flying Cross awarded for his actions in Alaska. US Navy Photo On 19...
Admiral James S. Russell / Captain Leslie Gehres / Stephen Jurika / USS Franklin
Lt. Cmdr Russell flying over a glacier near Prince William Sound. August 1942. US Navy photo

James Russell’s Influences On USS Franklin

July 18, 2023
Official Photo of Admiral James Russell, who, as a Lt. Cmdr, just prior to the outbreak of war, played a...
Admiral James S. Russell / Leadership / USS Franklin

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