KASTAUFFER Posted October 26, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 26, 2014 On March 19, 1945 the USS Franklin was bombed by a Japanese Plane off the coats of Japan and was almost lost. One ship that made a definite difference in her survival was the USS Santa Fe. On 14 March, the USS Santa Fe joined the Hancock group, which launched strikes on Kyūshū on 18 March and on Japanese fleet units at Kure and Kobe on the 19th. Just as the first strikes were being launched on the 19th, a single Japanese plane dropped two bombs into a cluster of planes on Franklin's deck, setting off immense explosions and fires. Santa Fe maneuvered alongside the carrier, and despite a hail of exploding ammunition, rescued survivors and fought fires. After the cruiser had been alongside for nearly three hours, 833 survivors had been rescued, the major fires were under control, and cruiser Pittsburgh was ready to tow the carrier. Santa Fe escorted the carrier to Ulithi; and, needing repairs herself, left Ulithi on 27 March for a trip back to the United States, escorting Franklin as far as Pearl Harbor. She received a Navy Unit Commendation for her part in the salvage of Franklin. This group is from one of the sailors on the USS Santa Fe who made a difference. He earned a Commendation Ribbon for his efforts, but when you read the citation, it makes me wonder what he would have had to do to have earned a Bronze Star instead? The USS Santa Fe Photos taken of the USS Santa Fe assisting the USS Franklin during the attack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted October 26, 2014 Presentation of the Commendation Ribbon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted October 26, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted October 26, 2014 Original Ships newspapers and a poignant message to the Captain of the Santa Fe . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted October 26, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted October 26, 2014 Here is the veteran himself displaying his citation This thread is dedicated to the men of the Santa Fe and the difference they made in saving the USS Franklin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted October 26, 2014 The NUC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted October 26, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 26, 2014 Like it a lot ! W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLHSS Posted October 27, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 27, 2014 An outstanding piece of history. Thanks for sharing. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choochoo Posted October 27, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 27, 2014 That is pretty amazing! One of the great heroic stories from the pacific. By the way, were any Essex class aircraft carriers lost in the war? I can't think of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted March 19, 2015 BTT on the anniversary of the attack on the Franklin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choochoo Posted March 25, 2015 Share #12 Posted March 25, 2015 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o82ASjYJDbw This silent newsreel is incredibly moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 8, 2018 Author Share #13 Posted June 8, 2018 BTT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 20, 2020 Author Share #14 Posted March 20, 2020 Back up in memory of the 75th anniversary of the attack on the USS Franklin March 19,1945. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decwriter Posted March 20, 2020 Share #15 Posted March 20, 2020 Very nice Kurt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ydhunter26 Posted March 22, 2020 Share #16 Posted March 22, 2020 Kurt, during WWII it was common that enlisted men received a Navy Commendation Ribbon for the exact same action or activity that an officer would receive a Bronze Star Medal. My father served on the LST-553 on Operation Guinea Pig with several other enlisted volunteers and a few officers. All enlisted were awarded the Navy Commendation Ribbon while the officers received the Bronze Star. All the citations had the exact same wording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share #17 Posted March 22, 2020 Kurt, during WWII it was common that enlisted men received a Navy Commendation Ribbon for the exact same action or activity that an officer would receive a Bronze Star Medal. My father served on the LST-553 on Operation Guinea Pig with several other enlisted volunteers and a few officers. All enlisted were awarded the Navy Commendation Ribbon while the officers received the Bronze Star. All the citations had the exact same wording. Very true, the same thing applies with flight crews where the pilot gets a Navy Cross and the rest of the crew gets a DFC. . Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now