A new documentary about the USS Franklin (CV-13) – in production
Few people know the harrowing story of the combat catastrophe that befell the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) during WWII. Heroism and courage saved the ship but controversy plagued the outcome. As fewer and fewer surviving crew remain to attend the annual ship reunions, their families grapple with the generational effects of the catastrophe, and they must decide how to preserve the historic Franklin legacy that has been left to them.
USS Franklin History
Timeline of Salvage and Rescue Events and Actions Following the Bombing of the USS Franklin on March 19, 1945. (By Anderson Clark, published March 18, 2025.)
Click here to expand the action table and click again to collapse it.
| Time | Action |
| March 19 | |
| 0708 | USS Franklin bombed,1 with fires starting on the hangar deck. |
| 0708 | Believing the ship was struck in the starboard area forward of the beam, Franklin commanding officer (CO) Captain Gehres reduced speed and turned Franklin to starboard to clear smoke.1 Smoke from the stern of the Franklin enveloped the island, and Gehres turned with full left rudder to bring the wind on the starboard side and clear the smoke. Bataan applied full right rudder and changed speed to avoid Franklin when the latter fell out of formation.1,2 |
| 0709 | Beginning of five hours of explosions of heavy ordnance on the Franklin.1Crew on Franklin commenced firefighting operations, treating wounded, jettisoning unexploded ordnance, and rescuing men belowdecks. Over this time, many Franklin crewmen were blown off the ship or had to jump into the water to avoid deadly fires, explosions, and smoke.3,4 |
| 0709 | Commander Task Unit 58.2.2 (CTU 58.2.2), (COMCRUDIV) 10 was directed to assume tactical command of the task group by Commander Task Group 58.2 (CTG 58.2), Commander Carrier Division (COMCARDIV) 2 via flag hoist, as radio communication on the Franklin was lost.5,6 CTU 58.2.2 directed Santa Fe to standby Franklin and directed CTU 58.2.3 to detail destroyers to assist Santa Fe.5Destroyer Division 104 (DesDiv 104) Hickox, Hunt,and Marshall (Lewis Hancock was in a linking position between TG 58.2 and TG 58.3) plus Miller and Tingey from DesDiv 103 were directed to assist with rescue and salvage operations.7 |
| 0710 | Hancock was directed to assume TG 58.2 formation guide.5,8 |
| 0710 | Hickox followed in Franklin’s wake and commenced rescue of men in the water, also using motor whaleboatin some cases.7,9 |
| 0713 | Hancock directed by CTU 58.2.2 to assume control of all TG 58.2 air operations, to assume fighter-director control, and to send up Combat Air Patrol (CAP) coverage for Franklin.5,8 |
| 0722 | Hunt, Marshall, Miller,and Tingey commenced rescue of Franklin menwho were in the water.7 |
| 0747 | CTG 58.2 directed Santa Fe to take over operations of assisting Franklin and to take charge of flight direction and CAP coverage for Franklin provided by Hancock.10 |
| 0815 | Franklin assumed a 3-degree list to starboard.11 |
| 0817 | Santa Fe prepared to come alongside Franklin, rigging fire hoses and securing mooring lines, and observed Franklin personnel in the water. Destroyers had fallen behind rescues because so many men were in the water and continuing to jump off the burning, exploding Franklin. Santa Fe could not approach Franklin because Miller was ordered to Franklin’s starboard quarter by CTG 58.2. Santa Fe threw life rafts, life rings, floater mats, and rafts to men in the water to aid them until destroyers could pick them up.10 |
| 0835 | On order of CTG 58.2, Miller approached Franklin,and CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV 2, COMCARDIV 4 Rear Admiral Bogan and flag personnel were transferred to Miller,along with some wounded crewmembers.1,6 |
| 0836 | While waiting for Miller to clear Franklin, Santa Fe began rescuing men who were in the water.10 |
| 0836 | CTG 58.2 radioed to CTU 58.2.2, COMCRUDIV 10, “Am afraid we will have to abandon her. Please render all possible assistance.”12 |
| 0840 | Franklin’s starboard list increased to 6 degrees.11 CTU 58.2.2 ordered Pittsburgh to render aid to Franklin,12 miles distant.13 |
| 0846 | Commander Task Force 58 (CTF 58) Vice Admiral Mitscher radioed to CTG 58.5, COMCARDIV 7 Rear Admiral Gardner on the Enterprise (CV-6), “With TG 58.5, proceed to TG 58.2 and take command of TG 58.2 until further orders. Report when CTG 58.2 is ready to take over.”12 |
| 0900 | CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV 4 and flag staff personnel delivered to Hancock by Miller.6 |
| 0902 | Santa Fe directed destroyers to rescue men in the water astern of Franklin.10 |
| 0915 | Santa Fe approached starboard side of Franklin, which was making 8 knots.10 |
| 0931 | Santa Fe came along starboard bow of Franklin and sent over messenger lines, maintaining 100-foot distance; observed Franklin’s11-degree starboard list, fires aft, a flaming river of fuel pouring out of the hangar deck onto the starboard quarter, and intermittent explosions. Santa Fe began fighting fires on Franklin and removing wounded.7,10,11 |
| 0945 | Steering control on Franklin and internal communications except bridge-to-steering aft were lost, and engine rooms were abandoned due to heat and smoke.11 |
| 0952 | A huge explosion of a 5-inch/38 caliber magazine on the Franklin flight deck threw flaming debris all over the Franklin and Santa Fe, cutting two aft fire hoses.1,10,11 |
| 1000 | List of Franklin was stabilized at 13 degrees. The ship lost engine power and was dead in the water.11 |
| 1010 | Pittsburgh arrived astern of Franklin and commenced rescuing men from the water using whaleboats. Large fire aft on Franklin could not be reached by hoses on Franklin or Santa Fe and was fueling other fires.10 |
| 1015 | Franklin lost forward momentum and started to swing. Santa Fe could not hold position, so she backed away, casting all lines and steering clear of Franklin’s forward starboard radio masts, which were horizontal and could not be raised.10 |
| 1020 | Santa Fe tried but could not maneuver alongside Franklin again because men were jumping off the Franklin and trying to swim to her. Santa Fe rescued more men from the water and then backed away.10 |
| 1025 | TG 58.5, Enterprise (flagship), Flint (CL-97), and DesDiv 107 (Remey [DD-688], Norman Scott [DD-690], Mertz [DD-691], Monssen [DD-798]) arrived and joined the TG 58.2 formation as directed by CTF 58.14,15 |
| 1027 | Marshall was ordered close to Franklin to repel possible air attack.7 |
| 1040 | Pittsburgh recalled the whaleboats and moved to position alongside Franklin’sforward port quarter to pass lines in preparation to take her in tow as requested by Gehres.1,10,13 |
| 1044 | Santa Fe made a wide angle of approach to Franklin to avoid men in the water. Making 25 knots as she approached Franklin, she made a hard turn to starboard and then backed all engines full to slide parallel up to the starboard side of Franklin. Firefighting of the gasoline fires and rescue efforts accelerated. Gehres ordered seriously wounded transferred from Franklin to Santa Fe.1,11 Subsequently, Gehres ordered all surviving air group personnel to Santa Fe. Gehres issued orders “for heads of departments to send off [to Santa Fe] such excess enlisted personnel as were not required to work the ship and fight the fire.”1 Some men boarded Santa Fe by crossing on Franklin’s two horizontal radio masts. Eventually, Franklin’sradio masts were snapped off from the two ships rolling against each other in the swells. Some men descended from Franklin to Santa Fe on lines, and others crossed on a brow that was placed over a 5-inch gun mount #2. Wounded were transferred via a traveler rigged between ships.10 |
| 1105 | Pittsburgh was alongside Franklin’sport bow to prepare to tow the carrier. 1,10,13,16 |
| 1115 | Pittsburgh sent messenger lines to Franklin and the 9-inch manila line was fed through Franklin’s bullnose. A roughly 60-man team of steward’s mates, other assembled crewmembers, and officers hauled the big line onto the forecastle deck to connect for the tow because the Franklin had no power to run the winch or windlasses. Santa Fe directed them to pass the line over while the hook lines controlled the 17/8-inch tow wire. The Santa Fe’scapstan was then used to finish hauling the Pittsburgh manila line and tow wire to the Franklin. The Pittsburgh requested 100 fathoms of Franklin starboard anchor chain (the anchor had been cut off) so the team manhandled it out of the locker and to the center of the deck, where they shackled it to the tow wire.1,10,13,16 |
| 1120 | CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV 2 Davison hoisted his flag on Hancock.6 |
| 1130 | Just as most fires were being extinguished on Franklin, a large bomb exploded and showered Franklin and Santa Fe with hot shrapnel. Because of the risk of additional explosions and the structural damage being done both to Santa Fe’s port side and to her two loaded and fueled catapult planes as the two ships rolled together in the swells, both planes were jettisoned.10 |
| 1130 | Hickox approached Franklin’s stern to rescue men trapped by fire on the fantail. She put her bullnose under Franklin’s 40mm gun sponson to allow men to jump to her. Crewmembers rigged a trolley line to transfer wounded by stretcher to Hickox.7 On a second approach to fix a mooring line and rescue more men, sea swells shoved Hickox up into the carrier’s fantail, crushing her bullnose down to the main deck, splitting the main seam and opening a small hole in the stem.9,17 |
| 1145 | Hickox directed water hoses on Franklin’shangar deck to extinguish fires still burning there.7 |
| 1150 | CTG 58.5, COMCARDIV 7 on Enterprise assumed tactical command of TG 58.2.18 |
| 1202 | Franklin radioed to Santa Fe,which relayed to CTF 58, “ Fires practically under control. Skeleton crew aboard. List stabilized at 13-degrees. If you save us from the Japanese, we will save the ship.”12 |
| 1204 | Miller returned from transferring flag personnel to Hancock and commenced rescuing crewmen who were in the water astern of Franklin.1,19 |
| 1205 | Radio communications with Commander Fifth Fleet (ComFIFTHFleet) Admiral Spruance in Indianapolis of TG 58.3: “ComFIFTHFleet broke radio silence and directed CTG 50.8 to order TU 50.8.3 (four ATFs, two DDs) to proceed at best speed toward Point FIREFLY and await orders, and directed CTG 50.9 to sail two ATFs and one ARS to join CTG 50.8 in area BEDBUG. . . . ComFIFTHFleet directed CTF 58 to prepare plans for local protection of FRANKLIN and for covering action by the remainder of TF 58. He said that he believed TG 58.2 would be required for local protection. He suggested that airstrikes on KYUSHU fields tomorrow night furnish the required cover, particularly inasmuch as there was no indication that there would be any cover from weather. CTF 58 replied that he had ordered additional fighter sweeps on KYUSHU fields this afternoon, and recommended that we conduct strong fighter cover only tomorrow in order to save tired personnel and to attempt to prevent further damage to ships. With the concurrence of ComFIFTHFleet, CTF 58 directed the entire force to stay in the vicinity of FRANKLIN tonight and tomorrow, flying augmented CAP only tomorrow. Thereafter TG 58.5 with TG 58.2 reinforced by CruDiv 16, 1 CL from TG 58.3, and TG 58.8 will cover FRANKLIN while the remainder of TF 58 proceeds to fueling rendezvous on 22 March and to strike OKINAWA on 23 March.”20 |
| 1215 | Rescue of men from Franklin fantail completed by Hickox.7 |
| 1221 | Franklin regained Talk-Between-Ships (TBS) radio operation. Up to that point, communicating out had been with limited range, with messages passed through Pittsburgh using a battery-operated short-range TBY radio on a separate frequency. Franklin communicated sparingly to maintain battery life, and had been receiving communications with an RBK receiver on a TBS frequency.21 |
| 1225 | CO of Franklin informed CO of Santa Fe that all wounded had been transferred and all personnel he intended to send (including the air group) had completed transferring. Major fires had been extinguished, and Santa Fe continued to be damaged while alongside the carrier, so she cleared Franklin with survivors onboard.10 |
| 1247 | Hickox completed rescue of all overboard Franklin survivors in the vicinity and began patrolling in circular anti-submarine screen around Franklin.7 |
| 1259 | The five destroyers and two cruisers fired upon an enemy aircraft that made a fast glide bombing run on Franklin from the starboard side.7 Its bomb was dropped short and exploded in the water near Franklin’s starboard quarter. The plane was shot down by CAP further out as it tried to escape.10 |
| 1348 | Hunt completed rescue operations of Franklin personnel from the water.7 |
| 1355 | CTF 58 directed CTG 58.3 to send one light cruiser (Astoria [CA-34]was designated) and CTG 5.4 to send CruDiv 16 to join TG 58.2, plus directed destroyers of TG 58.8 to join TG 58.2 at 1600.5 |
| 1404 | Pittsburgh eased ahead slowly with the tow line as Franklin played out the shackled anchor chain, braking every 5 fathoms.1,10,13,16 Fires in the forward area of Franklin’s hangar deck had been extinguished while those in the aft area of the hangar deck, the gallery deck, at the stern and fantail, and in other areas of the ship were still burning. Franklin’sonly water main pressure for firefighting at that time came from two emergency diesel pump engines on the forecastle.1 |
| 1407 | Miller completed rescuing survivors from the water and proceeded to starboard side of Franklin to fight fires on her hangar deck near the aft elevator.19 |
| 1420 | Hunt and Marshall joined Hickox in circling screen around Franklin.7 Miller was sent to Franklin to put out a fire at port stern, but it had died down.10 |
| 1435 | Enemy plane approached Franklin,chased by friendly fighters and anti-aircraft fire from ships in the formation. Without attacking, it exited the area and into the CAP zone, where it was shot down.10 |
| 1435 | The anchor chain that played out on Franklin by Pittsburgh was checked at 90 fathoms. Pittsburgh eased forward into the tow and went ahead with all engines at 10 rpm, advancing 5 rpm at a time to slowly build the engine speed and start to turn southeasterly. 1,10,13,16 |
| 1445 | Tingey completed rescue operations and joined screening picket around Franklin.22 |
| 1450 | Miller returned alongside Franklin to fight a new fire on her fantail.23 |
| 1500 | CTF 58 ordered CTG 58.2 to operate independently, in the vicinity of the Franklin to offer day-and-night protection.6,10 TG 58.8 departed the forward position further north to retire southward.24 |
| 1505 | Speed of Pittsburgh towing Franklin reached 3 knots and slowly increased.10,13 |
| 1520 | Miller went alongside Franklin’s starboard side to provide signal equipment, breathing apparatuses, and bread, and to take on 2 wounded via stretcher.23 |
| 1535 | Under orders from CTF 58, Guam and Alaska (CB-1)and two screening destroyers Black (DD-666, flagshipwith COMDESDIV 96 Commander Chamberlain) and Chauncey (DD-667) left TG 58.4 to join group escorting Franklin.25,26 |
| 1540 | Astoria took up a station in TG 58.2 formation.5 |
| 1550 | The Pittsburgh-Franklin tow achieved 6.5 knots, turning to a southerly course, but speed varied from 1.5 to 8 knots. As the carrier was turned, her list was away from the wind, so that she then sailed upwind. This pushed her 30° off-course, dragging Pittsburgh’sstern toward her while pushing Pittsburgh’s bow leeward. Headway and steering became very difficult for Pittsburgh and could not be corrected as Franklin’srudder was jammed right.13 Franklin crew was able to manually adjust the rudder, but she was still sailing upwind on that course, resulting in yaw.1 |
| 1600 | Santa Fe joined the screen with the four destroyers circling around the Pittsburgh-Franklin tow. The screen was counterclockwise due to the damage to Santa Fe’sport side, which had incurred from being alongside Franklin.10 |
| 1614 | CTF 58 radioed to CTG 58.2, “TG’s 58.3 and 58.4 will operate east of FRANKLIN tonight and tomorrow. Planes will be used for protection of FRANKLIN and TG 58.2. TGs 58.1 and 58.3 will have this duty tonight. All VB and VT will fly augmented ASP tonight only. No strikes or swoops tomorrow.” |
| 1615 | CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV 2 responded to CTF 58, “By using available personnel both staffs and loaned personnel from HANCOCK ComCarDiv TWO prepared to take over command at 1800 today. In order [to] prepare air schedules for tomorrow, have to know disposition of ENTERPRISE, target areas available and command organization for withdrawl [sic]of FRANKLIN.” |
| 1632 | CTF 58 response to CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV2, “TG 58.5 remain with TG 58.2. Fly augmented CAP day and night only. Make night searches as necessary. TG 58.2 protect FRANKLIN with forces assigned to TG 58.2. Remainder of TF 58 will operate in vicinity of FRANKLIN and will not attack tomorrow. Does this answer your ? Our main mission is to get FRANKLIN out if possible. Take command of TG 58.2 when you are ready and let us know.”5 |
| 1627 | CruDiv 16 with COMCRUDIV 16 Rear Admiral Low in flagship Guam (CB-2)with Alaska (CB-1) joined TG 58.2.25 |
| 1640 | Miller cast off all lines and went to stern of Franklin to fight fire on the fantail.19 |
| 1715 | As directed by CTG 58.2, CruDiv 16 Guam and Alaska departed TG 58.2 formation to reinforce Franklin group.6,25,27 |
| 1720 | TG 58.8, composed of DesDiv 50, DesDiv 96, and DesDiv 105, reported to TG 58.2. CTG 58.2 ordered DesDiv 96 to join CruDiv 16 to augment the Franklin group.6 Bullard (DD-660)and Kidd (DD-661) of DesDiv 96had not yet reached TG 58.2 so were ordered to bypass and go directly to Franklin group.24 Black and Chauncey screened Guam and Alaska.27 Stockham and Twining were detached from TG 58.2 and screened ahead of CruDiv 16 in transit to the Franklin group.21 |
| 1735 | Franklin, in tow by Pittsburgh, was yawing significantly such that Pittsburgh had difficulties maintaining course and speed and was almost dead in the water.10,13 |
| 1737 | Marshall was directed to leave the formation to pick up an American pilot who made a water landing 10 miles away, as reported by CAP.7,10 |
| 1740 | Miller cleared Franklin to join the circling screen of destroyers and Santa Fe.19 |
| 1800 | CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV 2 resumed command of TG 58.2, while CTG 58.5, COMCARDIV 7 retained tactical command of TG 58.2 because of the complete staff and better facilities on the Enterprise.6 The latter managed TG 58.2 schedule of air operations of strike sorties and also the CAP around the Franklin group of ships.15 |
| 1801 | Marshall rejoined the screen around the Franklin.1 The fire on the fantail of the Franklin flared up again. Franklin requested assistance, and Miller was sent to direct water on the flames and cool the side of the ship.10 |
| 1803 | CTG 58.2 created new task unit, TU 58.2.9, with Franklin, Alaska, Guam, Pittsburgh, Santa Fe, Hickox, Hunt, Marshall, Miller, Stockham, Tingey, and Twining,and DesDiv 96 Black, Bullard, Chauncey,and Kidd, commanded by COMCRUDIV 16 in Guam. Enterprise was to provide night CAP support for TU 58.2.9.15 |
| 1825 | Marshall held burial services for Franklin deceased.7 |
| 1930 | DesDiv 96 commanded by COMDESDIV 96 in Black arrived at Franklin group.27 |
| 2015 | Bullard and Kidd arrived at the screen of ships circling around the Pittsburgh-Franklin tow, which was opened to allow them to join.10 |
| 2044 | CruDiv 16 plus Stockham and Twining from TG 58.8 arrived at Franklin group, completing TU 58.2.9, commanded by COMCRUDIV 16 in Guam.25 The group was making 3 knots.10 |
| 2100 | On Franklin, an engineering party gained access to fireroom #3.1 |
| 2107 | Pittsburgh requested from COMDESDIV 104 to detail a destroyer to assist in keeping Pittsburgh on course, as she was being pulled by sailing Franklin. Tingey was designated.10 |
| 2200 | Counterflooding measures commenced on Franklin to reduce the 13° starboard list.1 |
| 2230 | Franklin boiler #5 was lit.1 |
| 2315 | Bullard went alongside Franklin as directed to fight fires on the hangar deck, but fires were in a difficult area to reach, especially with Franklin’s list.24 |
| 2330 | Tingey attempted to approach Pittsburgh to receive a tow line from her to help keep her from swinging due to yawing Franklin. Because significant movement by both ships, she could not maintain position and the tow line was not passed.28 |
| March 20 | |
| 0000 | Bullard finally achieved position that allowed 18 hoses to play on fires on Franklin’s hangar deck and fantail. She had to maintain a close position to fight fires effectively and thereby suffered minor structural damage when Franklin’s gun sponson struck two of Bullard’s platforms.24 |
| 0100 | On Franklin, with steam building and #3 generator running, warming of the main engines was started. Fires kept flaring up throughout the ship during the night.1 |
| 0200 | Franklin counterflooded too far and the ship rolled to a 10° list to port, which was still enough to reduce the sailing effect and assist Pittsburgh in steering and speed.1 |
| 0215 | Bullard finished extinguishing fires on Franklin’s hangar deck and fantail. She cleared the carrier but stayed nearby in case additional assistance was needed.24 |
| 0410 | With Franklin starting to build her own speed, the tow was able to achieve 7.5 knots.10 |
| 0605 | Bullard returned to picket screen as directed by CTU 58.2.9, COMCRUDIV 16.24 |
| 0715 | Franklin boiler #7 was lit.1 |
| 0815 | Franklin boiler #8 was lit. Engines were turned up to 56 rpm, assisting Pittsburgh to achieve 6 knots.1 |
| 0910 | Miller went alongside Alaska to transfer wounded Franklin survivor for medical treatment.26 |
| 0930 | Franklin regained steering control and was able to steer in the tow.13 |
| 1000 | Four of Franklin’sengines were operating for 6 knots while still in the tow. Gehres reported that she was ready for 16 knots and asked to cast off the tow.1 |
| 1000 | Hunt conducted burial services, TU colors at half-staff.22 |
| 1050 | Santa Fe radioed to CTU 58.2.9, COMCRUDIV 16 numbers of Franklin officers and enlisted on Hunt, Hickox, Marshall, Miller, Pittsburgh,and Santa Fe: 1,428 total, of which 228 were wounded, 38 were critically injured, and 18 were dead.10 |
| 1100 | Hickox conducted burial services, colors at half-staff.22 |
| 1200 | Speed of the Pittsburgh-Franklin tow achieved 14 knots.1 |
| 1233 | The tow line to the Franklin was cast off, and the Pittsburgh moved clear but stayed close by.1 |
| 1334 | Tingey went alongside Guam to transfer 2 wounded from Franklin for medical treatment.22 |
| 1423 | Marshall went alongside Alaska to transfer 15 wounded Franklin personnel for further medical treatment.26,29 |
| 1405 | Franklin achieved15 knots.1 |
| 1430 | CTF 58 reported to ComFIFTHFleet that Franklin was now steaming under her own power. ComFIFTHFleet thereby directed CTU 50.8.3 to reverse course and return to area BEDBUG. CTF 58 then commenced preparing plans to reorganize TF 58 to allow damaged ships of TG 58.2 to go to Ulithi base for repairs or onward to other bases. He planned to set up the remainder of TF 58 into three task groups and decided that Santa Fe would be routed onward to Pearl Harbor for an overhaul, which ComFIFTHFleet approved.20 |
| 1450 | Enemy plane made a fast-glide dive out of the sun targeting Franklin, without being fired upon by ships in the screen. Fired upon by Guam, Alaska, and Franklin.10,25-27 Franklin’s 40mm guns were manned by a volunteer crew that opened fire on the attacker. Because of the heavy gunfire, the plane pulled up and released its bomb early. The projectile traversed Franklin’s flight deck, barely missed the port edge of the ship, and exploded when it hit the water about 200 feet off her port quarter.1 The formation fired upon the plane as it made its way out to no effect.10 |
| 1547 | Pittsburgh took guide position in formation with 11 screening ships.22,25 |
| 1715 | Hunt went alongside Guam to transfer wounded men from Franklin.25 Marshall went back alongside Alaska to finish delivering wounded Franklin survivors.29 |
| 1800 | CAP from TG 58.2 returned to base. TU 58.2.9 proceeded without air cover.25 |
| 2143 | TU 58.2.9 ordered to set course to the island of Guam.25 |
| 2305 to 2350 | Flares and gunfire seen on the horizon to the north. TG 58.2 believed to be under attack by the enemy,10,17 “apparently where they expected to find the hapless Franklin.”1 |
| March 21 | |
| 0000 | TU 58.2.9 proceeding to Guam at 16 knots with TG 58.2 providing air cover for the unit’s retirement.6,10 |
| 0245 | TG 58.2 made radar contact with fueling group TG 50.8.6 |
| 0635 | COMDESDIV 96 designated Miller as linking ship between TU 58.2.9 and TG 58.2.27 |
| 0652 | Benham went alongside Hancock for fueling and to receive COMCARDIV 4 and staff and CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV 2 and staff for transfer to Wasp (CV-18).30 |
| 0655 | Hunt came alongside Alaska to transfer 3 wounded Franklin survivors for further medical treatment. Alaska transferred 4 men to Hunt for further transfer to Benham.26,31 |
| 0712 | TU 58.2.9 and CTG 58.2 received orders from CTF 58 to rendezvous with him and fueling group, 120 miles northwest.10,22 TG 58.2 was to take on fuel first thing upon arrival and then depart for Ulithi. TG 58.1, 58.3, and 58.4 would take the rest of the day to fuel and then proceed at sunset to the designated launching area for preparation of strikes on Okinawa the 23rd.20 |
| 0714 | COMCRUDIV 16 assumed command of TG 58.2 while CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV 2 was being transferred to Wasp.6 CTG 58.2 informed TU 58.2.9 that Benham would rendezvous to pick up staff members of CarDiv 2 and 4.10 |
| 0740 | Benham departed TG 58.2 to proceed to TU 58.2.9.30 |
| 0759 | TU 58.2.9 changed course to rendezvous with TF 58.9 |
| 0800 | Franklin to CTG 58.2.9 and Santa Fe, “Desire return today Franklin personnel capable of duty as follows. Ships officers, all engineering ratings, all stewards nates [sic],and commissary personnel, all bridge ratings plus 100 others, mixed damage control, gunnery and air departments.”1 |
| 0815 | CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV 2 assumed tactical command of TU 58.2.9.27 |
| 1000 | Gehres did not wish to take the damaged Franklin back into enemy territory. He radioed to CTU 58.2.9, “My crew’s nerves will not stand many more alarms. My after gasoline system is not secure and cannot take a hit. I request we maintain maximum speed away from this area.”6 However, the order was not revised.10 |
| 1020 | Benham entered screen of TU 58.2.9 to go alongside Hunt to receive 17 CarDiv 2 and CarDiv 4 staff personnel.30,31 |
| 1028 | Santa Fe responded to Franklin’searlier message regarding men to send back to the ship. Onboard the Santa Fe, they had ready for transfer 9 ship’s officers, 28 bridge ratings personnel, 39 gunnery personnel, 96 engineering ratings personnel, 7 with commissary ratings, 19 from damage control, 42 from the air department, and 57 steward’s mates, adding, “Additional available but will not transfer unless otherwise directed. 66 gunnery, 153 air dept. and other personnel not requested.”1 |
| 1202 to 1412 | As CTG 58.2 and TU 58.2.9 steamed back toward enemy territory, radioed alerts from TF 58 of bogies and CAP actions against enemy aircraft were relayed over the course of 2 hours from CTU 58.2.9 to ships of the unit. CTF 58 ordered CTG 58.2 and TU 58.2.9 to change course and rendezvous with TF 58 at fueling area. |
| 1202 to 1412 | Franklin to CTU 58.2.9, COMCRUDIV 16, “In order to inform my people for morale purposes I request information concerning our immediate destination. I will defer all transfers or assistance of any kind in favor of rapid increase in distance from source of bogies. We can make out for several days with what we have. Boilers salting slightly but can maintain speed for at least twenty four hours. Ship entirely open, no interior water tight integreties [sic] possible.”1 |
| 1202 to 1412 | Response of CTU 58.2.9, COMCRUDIV 16 to Franklin, “Regret I do not know ultimate destination. We are now forming in task group 58.2 to join CTF 58 at the fueling rendezvous when I presume you will learn more. I have informed CTG 58.2 of your general situation.”1 |
| 1517 | Hickox slowed to transfer staff from ComCarDiv 2 and ComCarDiv 4 to Benham.7 |
| 1525 | Benham went alongside Tingey to receive staff personnel of CarDiv 2 and 4.30 |
| 1559 | Benham went alongside Santa Fe to receive staff personnel of CarDiv 2 and 4.30 |
| 1750 | Santa Fe to CTU 58.2.9, COMCRUDIV 16 to pass to CTG 58.2, “My [earlier communication] change survivors to 1661, wounded 221, critically injured in addition to wounded 35, dead 18.”10 |
| 1750 | Franklin to CTU 58.2.9, COMCRUDIV 16 “I cannot remain much longer on this course. Taking water in hangar deck and reflooding to fourth deck. Having trouble with water in fuel oil. Between eight and nine knots present speed.”1 |
| 1758 | Benham received mail from Guam and then proceeded to TG 58.2.30 |
| 1803 | Franklin to CTU 58.2.0, “Fuel situation cleared. Can make up to 18 knots. My hangar deck dry on any course which places wind abaft the beam if speed is more than waves.”1 |
| 1900 | Franklin radioed via Pittsburgh to Commander 5th Fleet, CTF 58, CTG 58.2, CINCPAC, “On latest originator Franklin has aboard 103 officers and 589 enlisted men including 2 officers and 2 men unfit for duty. Have buried 251 bodies at sea, many beyond identification. Unknown number of bodies still in inaccessible locations. Evidence of large numbers completely cremated. . . . Ship requires rebuilding from 2nd deck up, including replacement of hangar deck armor. All radio and radar gone. Island structure sound but extensive fire damage. Clearing wreckage and voyage repairs proceeding satisfactorily. Do not desire returning of personnel. I have the fuel, food, and men to make Pearl direct.”1 |
| 1905 | CTU 58.2.9 to Franklin, “Franklin, work up to best sustained speed and report when making it, all ships be alert for this gradual build up.”1 |
| 1912 to 1923 | Franklin reported that she had attained 16, then 18, and then 20 knots. She reported that she could maintain 20 knots indefinitely.1 |
| 1933 | CTU 58.2.9, COMCRUDIV 16 directed ships in the group to steam at 20 knots.1 |
| March 22 | |
| 0245 | TG 58.2 made radar contact with fueling group TG 50.86 |
| 0500 | TF 58 was sighted.1 |
| 0610 Sunrise | TU 58.2.9 and TG 58.2 made rendezvous TF 58 and fueling group.25 Franklin, Black, Chauncey,and Kidd left the formation to operate independently during fueling.9 “All hands heaved a sigh of relief in realizing that the FRANKLIN was at last safe.”21 |
| 0714 | TG 58.2 began fueling operations.6 |
| 0721 | Two floating mines off the starboard bow of Franklin that had been spotted by destroyers were exploded by gunfire.1 |
| 0740 | TU 58.2.9 was dissolved, and the ships were reassigned.21,25 |
| 0830 | Benham went alongside Hancock to receive CTG 58.2 COMCARDIV2, COMCARDIV 4 and their staff personnel to transfer to Wasp.30 COMCRUDIV 16 in Guam assumed command of TG 58.2 during this transfer. |
| 1035 | Benham went alongside Wasp to transfer flag personnel.30 |
| 1218 | Bougainville (CVE-100) received aboard 40 officers and 3 enlisted survivors of Franklin’s air group for transport to Guam, where the group would re-form. Bougainville departed with Reynolds (DE-42)and Conklin (DE-439) as screens.32 |
| 1230 | CTG 58.2, COMCARDIV 2 hoisted flag on Wasp and assumed command of TG 58.2. TF 58 was reconfigured according to orders from CTF 58, with TG 58.2 as follows: Wasp (flagship), Franklin, Enterprise, Santa Fe, DesRon 52 Owen, Miller, Stephen Potter, Tingey (minus The Sullivans), DesDiv 104 Hickox, Hunt, Lewis Hancock, Marshall.6 (The heavy ships in this reorganized task group were those that had been damaged over the past several days and required repair.20) |
| 1400 | Upon orders of CTG 58.2, TG 58.2 took departure from TF 58 and set course for Ulithi Atoll.33 |
USS Franklin History
By Anderson Clark (Published March 18, 2025)
The Forgotten Crewmen Rescued by the USS Pittsburgh, and One Very Unlucky Survivor
People who are familiar with the story of the March 19, 1945 attack of the Franklin know that when the carrier was wracked with explosions and fire and was dead in the water because her engine rooms had to be abandoned, the heavy cruiser USS Pittsburgh (CA-72) took her under tow.1,2,3
Click here to read more, click again to collapse the story.
People are probably also aware that a number of ships in the task group came to the aid of the Franklin and rescued her crewmen from the water: the destroyers USS Hickox (DD-673), USS Hunt (DD-674), USS Marshall (DD-676), USS Miller (DD-535) and USS Tingey (DD-539) and the light cruiser USS Santa Fe (CL-60).1,2,3
Some readers might not be aware that about 40 minutes before the Pittsburgh positioned at Franklin’s port bow to pass back the tow line (see photo below), she was astern of the carrier and had lowered her whaleboat to rescue 35 men from the water.4,5
Of the 35 rescued men, one was deceased when pulled from the water and one passed away the next day, leaving 33 Franklin survivors on board the Pittsburgh (see photo below).5
The rescued survivors were on the Pittsburgh when she took the Franklin under tow at 14:35 on March 19th. The tow was cast off the next day (March 20) at 12:33. A little over two hours later, the Pittsburgh was going to pull alongside one of the destroyers to transfer the Franklin survivors when an enemy plane made a fast-glide dive out of the sun targeting the Franklin. The Pittsburgh aborted the attempt of the personnel transfer and took the lead in the formation of ships that were then en route to rendezvous with a fueling unit.4,6
Multiple bogie alerts plagued the unit of ships the rest of the day on March 20th and also throughout the day on March 21st,4 so transfer of the Franklin survivors off of the Pittsburgh still did not happen.
At 07:00 on the 22nd, the Franklin and the other ships in the task unit rendezvoused with the fueling group and Task Group 58.2. Once fueled, a reorganized Task Group 58.2, which included the Franklin, Santa Fe and destroyers with the Franklin survivors, were ordered to proceed to Ulithi.7 The Pittsburgh completed fueling and at 14:06 was detached from the task unit and ordered to report to Commander Task Group 58.1,4 which she did, with the Franklin survivors still on board!
I have not found any documentation that explains why the Franklin survivors were left on the Pittsburgh, rather than be transferred during the fueling exercise. It doesn’t look like these men saw the Franklin or their shipmates again throughout the rest of the war. Three of them submitted their stories for Bob St. Peter’s book USS Franklin (CV-13): The Ship That Wouldn’t Die,6 and they talk about serving on the Pittsburgh through the Invasion of Okinawa (see photo of book below).
The Pittsburgh pulled into the Ulithi Lagoon midday on April 30th.4 By then, the Franklin was already in the Brooklyn Ship Yard.7 At 08:41 on May 3, a recreation party of 500 men left the Pittsburgh on USS LCI-680 Landing Craft Infantry vessel to go to Mog Mog Island, a U.S. Navy base with a recreation center at the Ulithi Atoll.4 I like to think that the Franklin men were able to enjoy some recreation after everything they had been through.
At 13:35 that same day, the recreation party returned to the Pittsburgh from Mog Mog Island, and at 13:55, the Franklin survivors were transferred to the USS General George M. Randall (AP-115) troop transport ship for further transfer to Commander Air Force Pacific Fleet (ComAirPac) Navy #926 base on Guam.4
The images above (from the National Archives and Records Administration) are taken from the Muster Roll Report of Changes of May 31, 1945 for the Naval Air Base, Navy #939 on Guam. Wayne Rogers, on the partial page shown, was one of the Franklin survivors on the Pittsburgh. This group was transferred to Guam on May 14, and on May 21, they were assigned to different units there8:
Flag Unit, Command Air Force Pacific Subordinate Command Forward Area; Supply Officer at the Aviation Supply Unit; Aviation Repair and Overhaul Unit; Command Carrier Transport Squadron Pacific; and possibly others.
I haven’t found documents pertaining to these men after the May 31st Report of Changes, but the three narratives in the St. Peters book6 indicate that the 32 Franklin survivors all may have served out the remainder of the war at the Navy base on Guam.
In all the narratives of the Franklin, other than in the St. Peters book, this group of survivors truly has been forgotten. However, that’s not the end of the story.
You may have noticed that I referred to 32 Franklin survivors, whereas there were 33 rescued on the list shown above. That’s because the uncounted man was one of the unluckiest survivors in the group.
James Edward Drinkwater did not serve out the rest of the war on Guam with the other men who had been rescued by the Pittsburgh, because although he was a Franklin survivor, he was not a Franklin shipmate!
James had the bad luck to have been at the wrong place at the wrong time. A crew member of the USS Lewis Hancock (DD-675), Drinkwater was transferred to the Franklin on March 14 for medical treatment.9 With his treatment completed, he was slated to return to the Lewis Hancock on March 19, but was still on the Franklin when she was bombed. He ended up in the water and was rescued by the Pittsburgh.
By March 31, Drinkwater was back on the Lewis Hancock,10lucky to be alive, but terribly unlucky to have been on the Franklin on March 19, 1945.
Production updates can be found here
Short Films From the Project
A brief visual history of the USS Franklin (CV-13)
The USS Franklin at the USS Midway Museum – August 2022
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