Inferno: The Epic Life and Death Struggle of the USS Franklin in World War II

Description

In action of Okinawa on March 19th , 1945, the USS Franklin was struck by two bombs from a Japanese dive bomber, the second of which ignited a fire that triggered ammunition, bombs and rockets. Within moments, 798 sailors were dead, radio and communications were destroyed, and the Franklin lay dead in the water with a thirteen degree list, fifty miles of the coast of Japan, easy prey, and almost fatally wounded. Taken in tow by the Pittsburgh the Franklin eventually managed to achieve a speed of fourteen knots and limped back to Brooklyn Yard for full repairs. These story of this amazing feat is told here for the first time in the survivor's own words with details that amaze: Lieutenant Donald Gary who discovered 300 men trapped in a collapsed section and led them to safety through a maze of burning tunnels and wreckage; Chaplin Joseph O'Callaghan who organized fire-fighting crews, first-aid, search and rescue parties, and the captain wanted to court-martial those blown overboard by the explosion for cowardice and desertion! This is a book full of the raw fear and drive to survive that military and naval readers look for.

Joseph A. Springer retired from the United States Air Force after twenty-three years as an Aircraft Weapons Specialist. He now specializes in military oral history, having interviewed more than one thousand combat veterans over the last thirty-five years. Joes first book, Black Devil Brigade, tells the oral history of the First Special Service Force in World War II. Joe and his wife Susan reside in West Central Illinois.

Naval History, December 2007 (circ.: 60,000) "Joseph Springer brings to life one of the most exciting stories of World War II as seen and told from the perspective of officers and Sailors who served on board the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Franklin. The author has crafted a well-researched and easy-to-read oral history that not only pays tribute to the men who sailed in the Franklin but to the legacy of naval service and its values of honor, courage, and commitment ... This book is a fitting tribute to the crew members of the Franklin and all the Sailors who fought during World War II." World War II Database, November 2007 (vpm: 30,000) "I was immediately impressed by Springer's writing style, which was straight-forward but was done without sacrificing detail. He professed that his interest in the history of USS Franklin had been nearly life-long, and it showed. The book delivered in clear detail everything encompassing the ship's history, configuration throughout the war, and the environments she had been in. Springer also succeeded in providing just enough information about the Pacific War so to shine light on why Franklin engaged in actions that she did ... With this book, the men of Franklin, along with their courage in the face of disaster and their accomplishment of bringing the devastated ship back home on her own power, were made known. I highly recommend Inferno, a history told with harrowing and gripping detail." Midwest Book Review, November 2007 "A gripping true story of bravery and sacrifice, featuring the words of men who served aboard 'Big Ben' as well as a handful of black and white photographs. A welcome addition to naval and World War II history shelves." Midwest Book Review, December 2007 "A gripping true story of bravery and sacrifice, featuring the words of the men who served aboard 'Big Ben' as well as a handful of black and white photographs. A welcome addition to naval and World War II history shelves."