In the Shadow of the USS Franklin

In the previous two updates, I covered our work and experiences of March 19 in Japan. Early that morning, we went to the beach in Miyazaki and laid a wreath in the sea in remembrance of the men of the USS Franklin who were killed 79 years prior. Afterward, we traveled to Kanoya to film … More Update #18 – The Final Interviews in Japan

In our last update, we had laid a wreath in the sea (in Miyazaki on the east coast of Kyushu, Japan) the morning of March 19 in remembrance of the USS Franklin crew members who had died 79 years prior. Afterward, we had breakfast back at the hotel and then went to Kanoya City, also in the Kagoshima … More Update #17 – Filming at the Kanoya Air Base Museum in Japan

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was going to use this update to tell you about our filming experience at “a WWII museum.”  Two corrections are needed to that statement.  First, that’s a misnomer, because the museum is about much more than the War in the Pacific. Second, I realized I’m leaving out … More Update #16 – In Japan, Recognizing the 79th Anniversary of the March 19 Attack on the USS Franklin

To rejoin the story from the filming trip to Japan, we finished our second interview with Mr. Nishiguchi on March 16 in the village of Suka, near Matsuzaka in the Mie Prefecture. On March 17 we went to Matsuzaka Castle to film some B-roll. Matsuzaka Castle was built in 1588. A fire destroyed much of … More Update #15 – Filming a Monument and Military Base at Kokubu, Japan

Initially, our second interview in Japan was scheduled with a woman in Hamamatsu, but she had to cancel. Her husband had died recently and she was not up to being interviewed. She kindly sent to Takayuki a rare book about the Special Attack Unit that we are researching. She said that we can keep the … More Update #14 – The Second Interview In Japan

We arrived in Japan during the early evening of Wednesday, March 13 and were picked up at Haneda Airport by our host, guide and colleague, Mr. Oshima Takayuki. (In Japanese, the family name comes before the given name.) I wrote about him in my last update. A journalist and researcher for NHK (Japan’s equivalent to … More Update #13 – The First Interview In Japan

The night before flying to Japan, I stayed at the Hilton Hotel at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, having flown there from Boston. From the 10th floor, I had a great view of the runways (and a parking garage). On the big day, Zach (sound mixer), Tim (director of photography) flew to O’Hare from Nashville … More Update #12 – Preview Of Filming In Japan

A number of people have asked me over the past year or so when the documentary will be finished, and I believe now the end is in sight. I have marked 2024 as the year when we will finish production (filming) and then set about the task of post-production. If you’re not sure how all … More Update #11 – First Filming Trips Of 2024 & Ending The Production Phase Of The Project

Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, across the Cooper River from the charming city of Charleston, is the home of the USS Yorktown (CV-10), “The Fighting Lady,” an Essex-class, WWII-era aircraft carrier that is a sister-ship to the USS Franklin and now serves as a museum. She holds the largest display and collection of USS Franklin (CV-13) artifacts as part … More Update #10 – Visiting The USS Franklin Exhibit At The USS Yorktown Museum