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Name: U.S.S. Franklin Number: CV 13 |
Class: Essex Commisioned: January 31, 1944 |
The USS Franklin (CV/CVA/CVS-13, AVT-8), nicknamed "Big Ben," was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers 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 War, earning four battle stars. She was badly damaged by a Japanese air attack in March 1945, with the loss of over 800 of her crew, becoming the most heavily damaged United States carrier to survive the war. Movie footage of the actual attack was included in the 1949 film Task Force starring Gary Cooper.
U.S.S. Franklin (CV 13) burning and listing to starboard after being bombed by Japanese planes on March 19, 1945
[Source: U.S. Navy/NMNA]
Sources:
Wikipedia
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