Let’s get serious now. We ran the ‘BATTLE DAMAGE’ report on USS BEN FRANKLIN in KTB #116, but here in a letter from JIM SISLEY (2128-1992) we learn what a terrible disaster it was.

“During 1995, the 50th Anniversary of the end of WWII, I have read several articles which attribute the hit on USS FRANKLIN (CV 13) to a KAMIKAZE. Not so! CV 13 was hit by an ‘undetected’ dive bomber, scoring hits with two 500 pound armor piercing bombs. CV 13 was not at ‘General Quarters’ when the attack occurred. The dive bomber, not a KAMIKAZE, flew away. CV 13 was towed to the Fleet anchorage at Ulithi.

At Ulithi, I boarded CV 13 to ‘salvage’ vitally needed equipment; a vividly memorable experience. All portside glass in the island was melted and what little was left of the flight deck was covered with melted aircraft parts, belt buckles, jack knives, dog tags, keys.....

Many bodies were still aboard in compartments below deck; hatches being warped shut and awaiting a cutting torch. the stench was one which is never forgotten.

At the time of the hits the flight deck was filled with planes fully fueled, loaded with bombs, rockets, ammunition - with flight crews aboard - and propellers revved up. The bombs pierced the flight deck and exploded in the hangar deck where the ship’s company enlisted on one side and the Air Department enlisted were lining up for morning chow. One strike aircraft had been launched, and those ready to go exploded like fire crackers. In the intense smoke, many crewmen trying to escape ran into turning propellers.

Why CV 13 was not at General Quarters is a nagging question, and the morale on the ship at the time of the attack is much of the history of CV 13. As I recall, the captain was ‘awarded’ the NAVY CROSS. Of course, I am not a writer and can only recall my own observations and conversations aboard a terribly damaged CV. I always hope that history will not be ‘rewritten’ but will accurately portray the events.

Many thanks for this personal account, JIM. Does any Member have anything further to add to the story of the ‘BIG BEN’? Please send it in - we always try to preserve history accurately.