March 25th - Some folks are trying to get it labeled 'Medal of Honor Day.
To honor those who went above and beyond in their service to our great nation.

USS Franklin CV-13
March 19, 1945
50 miles off the coast of Imperial Japan

On fire, severely damaged, about half her crew dead or wounded, listing heavily,

BUT the crew fought to save the ship, inspired by their new Chaplain, Father Joseph T O'Callahan (who had reported onboard the Franklin on March 1st).
Father O'Callahan tended the wounded and the dead (his duty)
and he organized and led firefighting parties,
plus he pushed burning ammo over the side,
and he led efforts to find and free men who were trapped below decks.

BUT the crew fought to save their ship, led by a mustang Engineering Officer, LTjg Gary.
LTjg Gary fought the battle below decks,
to keep the ship afloat,
to keep a boiler online.

Both Father O'Callahan and LTjg Gary were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in saving The Franklin. This is the only time the US Navy has awarded 2 MoH to men on the same ship for actions on the same day.  
I had the honor of meeting some of the Franklin's crew, while serving on the USS O'Callahan FF-1051.

They all knew and told stories about Father O'Callahan.
Some knew LTjg Gary.

and some were still pissed at the Franklin's CO - -

These were the men who had been trapped below decks and who jumped overboard or who were transferred to the cruiser who came alongside to assist the Franklin.

The Franklin's CO filed charges against these men.

They were held in the brig at Pearl Harbor

until

Admiral Nimitz ordered their release and the charges dropped.

Posted by: WordMarvin at 10:03 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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