On this day, March 19, 1945, a Japanese dive bomber hit the USS Franklin, killing 724 of her crew.

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2. Thanks. Good podcast episode about the event:

1:58:12 hours

Big Ben-The Story of USS Franklin-Episode 417

Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast

Oct 8 2024

This week Seth and Bill take a look at one of the most famous stories of survival and bravery in all of World War II, the story of the USS Franklin. On March 19, 1945 aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) better known as Big Ben, was hit by one or two bombs dropped by a Japanese Judy dive bomber. In the ensuing inferno and chaos that followed, more than 700 American sailors and Marines were killed while the remainder of the crew underwent one of the most trying experiences in all of US Naval history. The story of Franklin is legend, and this week, we get into every aspect of it, from Big Ben's crew to her captain, to her destruction, and finally her survival.

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