|
Post by okla on Sept 11, 2012 10:39:52 GMT 8
Hey Patty....Pertaining to the photo of all those A/C preparing to launch.....I have a friend, even longer in tooth than I, who served on the Big E, Franklin and other CVs. He was a "flunky signalman" in the Admiral's flag personnel, so transferred from flat top to flat top every time the Admiral moved his Flag to another ship, usually a Carrier.. He was unfortunate enough to be aboard the USS Franklin when it was hit, losing over 500 men. Chad, being an old seadog and Carrier pilot, is probably familiar with the Franklin saga. My friend has often told of how he escaped, along with a rather sizable group of shipmates, from the mess galley, up to topside, thru a ventilator shaft and went hand over hand, on a line, stretched from the stricken vessel to the CA, USS Sante Fe. This guy is now 87 years old and is fighting the effects of cancer. If one thing doesn't get you, it seems that something else will. The ravages of old age, methinks. Cheers and thanks for posting your excellent material.
|
|
|
Post by pdh54 on Sept 11, 2012 19:52:44 GMT 8
Okla,
Just a thought -- but have you ever given a thought to writing down these stories? It would be a shame to loose them. Just start a file on your computer and write them up like a short story, including all the names, etc you remember. One document for each story.
Patty
|
|
|
Post by okla on Sept 11, 2012 21:36:09 GMT 8
Hey Patty....No, I have never thought of doing that. I have always figured that anyone my age, especially those who were in the military, if only for one hitch, has a raft of similar yarns. When you are 80 years old, or even older, you have met and known many people and consequently have collected a bundle of such stories. With all the time I have on my hands, these days, I just might do as you suggest. At this late date, I do really regret not quizzing the several men that I served with in the AF who had served on Bataan and Corregidor. I probably knew/served with as many as 6 or 7. I gotta sit back and actually count them up. I was always reluctant to push it too hard. I generally just let them to the talking if they were so inclined. A few were very closed mouthed about those times. I can understand their reluctance. Their views of the Japanese ranged from "oh, that's just the way those people were" to "I will hate the SOBs till the day I die". Always great kibitzing with you and Chad. Sending me the "gift' was very thoughful. I peruse it several times a week. My Okasan says I look like a Field Marshall with it spread before me.
|
|
|
Post by rlbj25 on Sept 11, 2012 22:43:02 GMT 8
okla,
Has your friend from the Franklin ever voiced his views of Capt. Gehres and his vendetta against anyone who left the ship that day? If so, I'd be interested to know what he said.
|
|
|
Post by okla on Sept 12, 2012 0:28:34 GMT 8
Hey Patty....No, he has never mentioned anything along those lines. Just praised the Ensign (or LTjg) who came down the ventilator shaft and guided his group topside) I have never heard/read of any criticism directed toward any of the survivors who were taken off the ship. The CA Santa Fe and another vessel were sure as heck doing heavy duty work in assisting Franklin crewmen to abandon ship, so all must have been following orders. We all know that a skeleton crew did return to the ship (as did my friend who retrieved a few articles from his locker, including a roll of nickles that had fused together due to the intense heat, but being in the "Flag" contingent they left the ship again to rejoin the Admiral on a new Flagship. I have seen what is remaining of the roll of coins) and sail her back to New York City after emergency repairs had been completed. Quite a story. My friend also had high praise for the Chaplain, Father Callahan, who at risk of life administered Last Rites,etc, to dying crewmen, although these actions were not personally viewed by my buddy. Next time I visit with my friend I will certainly quiz him about this criticism delivered by Captain Gehes. I wonder if the good Captain had harsh words for the Admiral for going to another Flagship? Cheers. Postscript....The Japanese aircraft wasn't a Kamakazi, but a regular bomber (there might have been two A/C) that came out of a low lying cloud/fog bank and was right on top of the Franklin before being detected. If memory serves two bombs hit the flight deck with many planes exploding,etc. Fires were out of control almost immediately. Not to beat a dead horse to death, but I will add one little tidbit to this story. My friend's parents, who lived in Claremore, Oklahoma, saw in the newspaper all about the USS Franklin disaster, but didn't even know their son was a crewman on the ship, until in the body of the main story, they see where he is interviewed and quoted by this War Correspondent on the newly designated Flagship. I have also seen this old newspaper. I think the Admiral involved was Admiral Davidson (this is bordering on a SWAG, lol).
|
|