Aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) attacked during WWII
USS Franklin (click for high-res)
“The carrier is afire and listing after she was hit by a Japanese air attack while operating off the coast of Japan – the crew is clearly seen on deck. Many of the crewmen were blown overboard, driven off by fire, killed or wounded, but the hundreds of officers and enlisted who voluntarily remained saved their ship through sheer tenacity.”
My father was on the USS Miller, a destroyer that
came to the rescue of the USS Franklin.
He survived the war and was killed when a school roof
collapsed on him, about 30 years ago….He went on the USS Miller at the very beginning of that Destroyer’s WWII career. He had just turned 18 in 1943 and was on
the USS Miller until april 1945. I am putting together my parents
history and he left a journal telling a little about
the war.
connie hastings
November 2, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Cool! Good luck!
Warren
November 3, 2009 at 9:05 am
A hearty “Thank You” to your father for putting his life on the line to fight the good fight against the Japanese Empire during WWII. Also, my condolences for losing him in such a freak accident.
I would also like to extend an offer to you Connie. If you would like to publish some of your Father’s journal as well as any photos you may have of him or photos that he took during the war, I would gladly dedicate a page here on this blog to his memory.
Jason Jeffrey
November 3, 2009 at 9:45 am
Let me consider what would be appropriate.
I am not really into computers, but my son could
probably help me email some photos to you…my father did not
take any photos of the war as such, i just have photos of him
on the USS Miller with a few comrades, I could send you that photo. I don’t know the names of his comrades in the photo….but maybe someone would recognize them. His older brother died during WWII, he was a pilot. Maybe we could put him in the blog. He had just received his wings. But his plane crashed during routine manuvers on the Pacific Coast, so he never actually got into the war, as my father did….but ironically, he was the one that died. Give me a week or two to figure out how to send photos. Thanks.
Connie
November 3, 2009 at 7:32 pm
My name is Jack Fleskes. I was a Quatermaster on the Miller for two years from Aug of 1943 till Aug of 1945
Jack Fleskes
March 8, 2012 at 11:51 pm
Thank you, Jack, for your contribution in WWII, but mostly for being there for my Grandfather and the crew of U.S.S. Franklin. All I really know is that my Grandfather, Herbert A. Miller, was one of the guys in the water. Until I saw the actual footage (YouTube) … I just didn’t … couldn’t … know the magnitude of the horrors that you men (boys) had to know. I don’t know these thing, because YOU and my Grandfather do.
My Sincere Thanks,
Barbara Waldo
Barbara Waldo
June 6, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Thank you sso much for your thoughts and kind words. I was on the helm of our destroyer that morning when the Franklin was bombed, and saw everything. We were the first ship alongside to provide assistence.I counted 17 major explosions on the ship. I have a copy of the Miller log, that says it all. If your grandpa is still alive, give him my best. If not I will pray for him. I was born in 1924 so I’m a year older than your Grandpa.
Thanks again and God bless you/
Jack Fleskes
Jack Fleskes
June 7, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Hi, My father-in-law was on the Miller when they came to the rescue of USS Franklin. He is no longer living, but my son is a Midshipmen in NROTC. He will be commissioned an officer in USN in 2014. I am trying to find good photos of this event that I can make into a collage and frame for him. Do you remember any one named Ed Pevitts?
Karen Pevitts
February 5, 2013 at 3:57 pm
My Grandfather JOHN FELTON was on the Franklin, one of the guys running back in to get some of their Crewmates out of the horror. I can’t even IMAGINE going IN, and it’s just what These Guys knew to do instinctuallly. HONOR HONOR HONOR THANK YOU GUYS FOR SETTING AN EXAMPLE ABOUT WHAT LOYALTY IS !!!
Mark Ross Felton
April 1, 2013 at 11:17 am
I would like to add this photo of the USS Franklin to my page honoring veterans. The ship was brought to my attention in Cheneweths pictorial (book) of the US Marine Corps. I request either your or someone’s permission to use the photo, as it has so far for me best represented the tremendous contribution to our freedoms and very lives that the Navy made to us all, meaning civilization as a whole.
That you have made this photo available in perpetuity for the world to see is a blessing for it. And I’m not usually into blessings.
I hope the lady sends her photos of her father. Please tell her for me that doing so if very important for us all, even if she doesn’t know the names of the people portrayed therein.
Sincerely,
Jesse Collins
Semper Fi
Jesse Collins
February 24, 2010 at 11:33 pm
My Uncle Frank Firicano from Boston was on the USS Franklin, I remember him telling me that when the attack happened he was below deck. He and his buddies had to form a human chain and made there way topside in complete darkness and heavy smoke. He was very lucky to survive. It was very sad that 921 of his fellow crewmen died that day of the attackm he had many sleepless nights. RIP Uncle and all who perished, I’ll never forget the good times that we had.
Sincerely,
Your Nephew
John Manganaro
Peabody, MA
John Manganaro
August 18, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Sorry I don’t remember him. You can go into Google and type in USS Franklin and get some good Pictures
Jack
Jack Fleskes
February 5, 2013 at 7:17 pm
thank You Jack !!! My Grandpa John Felton was on The Franklin too and went back in to pull Guys out also. He’s gone now but You Guys are what HONOR is all about, Thank You
Mark Ross Felton
April 1, 2013 at 11:26 am