Are you or will you continue posting the Victory at Sea? I ask because I
have a very personal interest in seeing the whole series. My father was
just 17 when he enlisted in the Marine Corp (1943) and served active duty
on the USS Franklin (CV-13) by the time he turned 18 and was one of the
survivors of its horrific kamikaze attack. Severely wounded and disabled
for the rest of his life, he never talked about his time in the Marines
or of his service aboard the Franklin. It was only near the end of his
life he came to me and started talking about it, saying I could
understand (I am an Air Force vietnam vet, 70 - 74). It shocked me,
surprised by his frankness and humor though of his experience I truely
couldn't understand, having not seen and been the target he and his mates
were during those times. I listened and was floored, he told of his time
in such precise detail, my skin became cold and wet, I was frigid by
fright, I questioned my own ability to act and react under such
conditions (could I? couldn't I?).
My father, after the war and his time recovering, rehabiliting, went on
the earn his degrees in Journalism (BA) and Enlish Lit. (MA) and his
words he spoke that day he confided in me were elegant, frightful, gritty
and determined. It left a strong need to see and learn of his actions
and that of the USS Franklin 19 March 1945. I am hoping that the
documentary Victory At Sea may have footage of the assault by the
Japanese against the USS Franklin and may be part of its recorded
history.
So I ask, please continue posting the series...I'd be extremely grateful.
Thank you.
The Quinquagenary Biker
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