Saga of the Franklin
Encyclopedia
Saga of the Franklin was a Kodachrome
colour documentary film produced about the aircraft carrier USS Franklin
which was hit by a Japanese dive bomber on March 19, 1945. Franklin was the most heavily-damaged carrier to survive World War II.
The film traces the career of the Franklin from construction to commissioning, and then follows her out to sea and combat. Some of the most harrowing footage in the film shows the aftermath of the Japanese bombing, when ammunition dumps aboard the carrier caught fire and began to explode. A sequence showing the ships chaplain, Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. O'Callahan
, wearing a steel helmet while administering the last rites to a dying sailor is one of the most enduring images of World War II in the Pacific. Both O'Callahan and Lieutenant JG
Donald A. Gary
, were awarded the Medal of Honor
for their actions on the Franklin.
The film ends as a badly damaged Franklin, against all odds, reaches New York City for repairs.
Kodachrome
Kodachrome is the trademarked brand name of a type of color reversal film that was manufactured by Eastman Kodak from 1935 to 2009.-Background:...
colour documentary film produced about the aircraft carrier USS Franklin
USS Franklin (CV-13)
The USS Franklin , nicknamed "Big Ben," was one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy, and the fifth US Navy ship to bear the name. Commissioned in January 1944, she served in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning four battle stars...
which was hit by a Japanese dive bomber on March 19, 1945. Franklin was the most heavily-damaged carrier to survive World War II.
The film traces the career of the Franklin from construction to commissioning, and then follows her out to sea and combat. Some of the most harrowing footage in the film shows the aftermath of the Japanese bombing, when ammunition dumps aboard the carrier caught fire and began to explode. A sequence showing the ships chaplain, Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. O'Callahan
Joseph T. O'Callahan
Joseph Timothy O'Callahan was a Jesuit priest and, during World War II, a United States Navy chaplain. He was awarded the U.S...
, wearing a steel helmet while administering the last rites to a dying sailor is one of the most enduring images of World War II in the Pacific. Both O'Callahan and Lieutenant JG
Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, United States Merchant Marine USMM, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade...
Donald A. Gary
Donald A. Gary
Commander Donald Arthur Gary was an officer of the United States Navy during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the fires on on March 19, 1945.-Biography:...
, were awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for their actions on the Franklin.
The film ends as a badly damaged Franklin, against all odds, reaches New York City for repairs.
External links
- Amazon summary
- Entire film online from the National Archives and Records Administration's "FedFlix" collection at archive.org