Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:32:29-1:49:13

USS Franklin: damage control and command failure

A carrier fire in the game opens into an account of Franklin's survival, rescue work, and the command controversy that followed the attack.

Aircraft CarriersDamage ControlNaval LeadershipUS NavyUSS FranklinWorld War II
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Question

Which American carrier survived devastating fires before its captain tried to punish crew members who had left the ship?

Short answer

USS Franklin. Captain Gehres sought courts-martial even for some men who had been blown overboard during the attack.

Notes

Sailors repeatedly entered smoke-filled sections of an American carrier to lead trapped crew members out. After USS Franklin survived and returned to harbor, Captain Gehres tried to punish men categorized as having left the ship, including some who had been blown overboard. An officer with legal training pointed out that the admiral had been among the first to board a rescue vessel, making the proposed standard untenable. The captain's judgment is set against the crew's rescue and damage-control work. A later message identifies the ship and captain, correcting the initial uncertainty between Lexington and Saratoga.