VT-13 (Torpedo) USS Franklin CV-13

Flying from the CV-13 the USS Franklin as members of a TBM Avenger crew, they were involved in several of the largest air/sea battles ever waged. To use a air launched torpedo against an enemy ship was a very dangerous proposition. Other navy airmen considered it the most dangerous duty a man could draw. These crews had to fly low, very slow and not take evasive action to line up properly and drop the weapon, all the while exposed to intense anti aircraft cannon fire and enemy fighters. Early in the war torpedo crews were virtually wiped out at the squadron level using torpedoes that sometimes did not detonate! With the new TBM Avenger, improved torpedoes and tactics, these crew had a better chance of survival against fighters, but Japanese anti aircraft fire remained a potent threat to the very last.

ARM 3c Edward Driscoll USNR

AOM 2c John Mumford Jackson USNR

Lt. Norman David Champlin USNR


IN MEMORIAM

LOST IN ACTION

LT. Edward Larkin Jr.
Lt. Raymond B. Cook...................Walter D. Hevey, AOM 3c
Lt. (j.g.) Richard H. Clive....................Edward O. Hughes, ARM 3c
Lt. (j.g.) Harmon R Hudson...................Grier P. Osborne, AAM 3c
ENS. Robert F. Jones...................Francis J. Ploger, Jr. ARM 3c
ENS. Thomas P. Brooks....................Stanley P. Rajza, ARM 3c
Eugene E. Black, ARM 2c..................Ralph T. Robinette, ARM 3c
Robert W. Bogart, AMM 3c....................Harold J. Shane, AOM 1c
William B. Butler, ARM 2c....................James D. Wittinghill, AMMP 1c


A Few Links USS FRANKLIN WEB SITE US NAVY HISTORICAL SECTION

USS FRANKLIN WEB SITE BY THE SON OF CREW MEMBER

Franklin Insignia Source Blue Jacket dot.com

Essex Class Carriers Reference Web Site. Diagram Source

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