CV-13 was named for "two famous old vessels in the Navy bearing th[e] name [Franklin]." (Very special thanks to Robert J. Cressman, Naval History & Heritage Command.)

There had been four previous American warships named for Benjamin Franklin:

1. A Continental Navy schooner, 1775–1776.
2. A brigantine, 1805–1807.
3. A ship-of-the-line, built under the supervision of Samuel Humphreys, was the first vessel to be laid down at the Philadelphia Navy Yard (1815–1852, NS098630901).
4. A screw frigate, 1854–1915.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was born in Boston but moved at an early age to Philadelphia where his countless talents and unlimited energies found expression in successful contributions as a statesman, diplomat, scientist, editor-author, and philosopher. During the Revolution he was appointed American Minister Plenipotentiary to the French Court enabling him to function also as the Navy's representative in Europe. He promoted the plan to bring the war to British shores, supporting Lambert Wickes's spectacular raids and enabling John Paul Jones to perform his daring feats by providing funds, attending to purchases and repairs, and determining questions of authority and discipline. His astute and visionary policies merit for him deserved recognition in the annals of the infant Navy as well as esteem as a founder of the United States.

USS Franklin (CV-13), World War II.

Overhead plan and starboard profile meticulously drawn by John Robert Barrett.

The deck pieces for the second deck (just below the hangar deck) are starting to be placed in this May 1943 shot of CV-13 in Shipway number 11 at Newport News Shipbuilding. To the left is her sister ship CV-15 Randolph.

(See also NS021362.)

US Navy photo now in the 80-G collection at NARA College Park (# 80-G-474219).

May 1943.

US Navy photo now in the 80-G collection at NARA College Park (# 80-G-474220).

May 1943.

US Navy photo now in the 80-G collection at NARA College Park (# 80-G-474221).

May 1943.

US Navy photo now in the 80-G collection at NARA College Park (# 80-G-474222).

Construction workers at Newport News Shipbuilding pull sections of Franklin's second deck into careful alignment before welding in May 1943.

US Navy photo now in the 80-G collection at NARA College Park (# 80-G-474223).

May 1943.

US Navy photo now in the 80-G collection at NARA College Park (# 80-G-474226).

Franklin (CV-13) was christened at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Virginia, on Thursday, 14 October 1943, by Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, USNR, Director of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

The ship is floated out of her building dock immediately after christening, at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company shipyard, Newport News, Virginia, on 14 October 1943. Note WAVES officers in the foreground. The WAVES' Director, Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, USNR, was Franklin's sponsor.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-14015).

Franklin (CV-13). Stern, looking forward. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. 6 January[?] 1944.

In the Elizabeth River, off Norfolk, Virginia, 21 February 1944.

She has the "early" island structure, with two quad 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts forward (see NS021319 for a later view). There is a single flight deck catapult (stbd) and a hangar deck catapult, with its port outrigger stowed. The ship has four deck-edge radio masts and is fitted with arresting gear forward, adjacent to the twin 5"/38 gun mounts. (Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration, # 80-G-224596.

In the Elizabeth River, off Norfolk, Virginia, 21 February 1944. She is accompanied by three local harbor tugs. Franklin is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 6a. This paint scheme was changed a few months later, on the port side only, to Measure 32, Design 3a. The ship's starboard side retained the Design 6a pattern.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration photo, # 80-G-224597.

USS Franklin (CV-13) in the Elizabeth River, off Norfolk, Virginia, 21 February 1944.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, R.L. Lawson Photograph Collection, via David Stubblebine.

USS Franklin (CV-13) in the Elizabeth River, off Norfolk, Virginia, 21 February 1944.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, R.L. Lawson Photograph Collection, via David Stubblebine.

USS Franklin (CV-13), Norfolk Navy Yard, Photo Serial 7580(44), May 4, 1944.

USS Franklin (CV-13), port quarter, Norfolk Navy Yard, Photo Serial 7582(44), May 4, 1944.

USS Franklin (CV-13) operating near the Marianas, 1 August 1944. Photographed from USS Hornet (CV-12). Franklin is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 6a. At this time, Design 6a was applied only to her starboard side. She wore Design 3a on the port side.

Compared to NS021301, the island structure has been modified by removing the forward quad 40/56 mount and extending the flag bridge. (Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-367248).

Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944 — Pilots of Torpedo Squadron 13 (VT-13) in their ready room aboard USS Franklin (CV-13), 24 October 1944, just before the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea. They are watching as the position of the Japanese fleet is posted. VT-13's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Larry French, is second from the left, with a navigation board beside his chair. Note life vests, with die marker pouches, worn by several of these men. Other life vests, and .38 caliber revolvers, are hanging on the bulkhead.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-290733).

[USS Franklin] was underway about 1,000 miles off Samar on 30 October [1944] when enemy bombers appeared, bent on a suicide mission. Three doggedly pursued Franklin, the first plummeting off her starboard side; the second hitting the flight deck and crashing through to the gallery deck, showering destruction, killing 56 and wounding 60; the third discharging another near miss at Franklin before diving into the flight deck of the small carrier Belleau Wood. Both carriers retired to Ulithi for temporary repairs and Franklin proceeded to Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, arriving 28 November 1944 for repairs to her battle damage.

She departed Bremerton on 2 February 1945 and after training exercises and pilot qualification joined TG 58.2 for strikes on the Japanese homeland in support of the Okinawa landings.

(From DANFS, "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships," Naval Historical Center website.)

Read a narrative and reports on this attack, at the Researcher @ Large website.

A Japanese kamikaze hits the flight deck of USS Franklin (CV-13), October 30, 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

A Japanese dive bomber (encircled) plunges downward USS Franklin (CV-13). As Big Ben had already been hit this is, perhaps, the kamikaze that hit USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) moments later.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

USS Franklin (CV-13), at right, and USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) afire after being hit by Japanese kamikaze suicide planes, while operating off the Philippines on 30 October 1944. Photographed from USS Brush (DD-745). Note "flak" bursts over the ships.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-326798.

USS Franklin (CV-13) afire after kamikaze hit, 30 October 1944.

This is a set of views of USS Franklin (CV-13) underway in Task Group (TG) 38.4 after being hit by a Zero kamikaze on the afternoon of 30 October 1944. Seen from USS South Dakota (BB-57) while operating east of the Philippines.

Photos by S.Zalkind PhoM1/c.

Damage in action of 30 October 1944. View showing work progress on 3 November 1944 at 1230 – flight deck at Fr. 125. (Ship's Photo No. 1003, taken 3 November 1944.) Puget Sound Navy Yard photo # 3984-44.

USS Franklin (CV-13) War Damage Report for the Action with Enemy Aircraft on 30 October 1944. Sketches showing Areas of Structural Damage. Second Deck.

(See also photos NS021361–NS021361e.)

USS Franklin (CV-13), Suicide Plane Crash Damage, Samar, 30 October 1944.

Navy Dept., Bureau of Ships, War Loss/Damage Report No. 56, United States Navy.

USS Franklin (CV-13), Ship's Service Telephone Directory, probably burned after the kamikaze attack.

Bombing Squadron (VB) 13 operated from USS Franklin (CV-13), November 1943–November 1944, as part of Aircraft Carrier Group (CVG) 13.

Torpedo Squadron (VT) 13 was attached to USS Franklin (CV-13), November 1943–November 1944, as part of Aircraft Carrier Group (CVG) 13. Patch is a four-leaf clover and a black cat riding a torpedo.

"Fighting Squadron 13 (VF-13) 'Black Cats' was established 2 November 1943 and decommissioned 20 October 1945. The 'Black Cats' were embarked aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) from 29 July to 2 November 1944. During this period the squadron shot down 86 enemy planes. CDR Wilson McConnell Coleman (USNA 1934) shot down a total of six to join the ranks of 'Navy Aces of WWII.'"

Photo courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum (# 2005.196.008.018).

USS Franklin (CV-13) in January 1945, after repairs. Note she had been repainted in Ms. 21 camouflage; two lattice radio masts abaft the island had been removed; three quad 40's had been added starboard amidships, just under the island. US Navy photo.

USS Franklin (CV-13), Puget Sound Navy Yard, 31 January 1945. Stern view, port side. Photo #447-45.

USS Franklin (CV-13), Puget Sound Navy Yard, 31 January 1945. Bow view, port side. Photo #449-45.

USS Franklin (CV-13), Puget Sound Navy Yard, 31 January 1945. Broadside view, starboard side. Photo #444-45.

USS Franklin (CV-13) was welcomed to Pearl Harbor and toured by 50 WAVES, mid-February 1945.

Frame from Saga of The USS Franklin.

A fighter launching from USS Franklin (CV-13), circa March 1945. This is a frame from a film showing aerial footage of clouds, a man looking out the window of an aircraft, brief footage of the damage to Franklin's flight deck, and aerial views of ships.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). NARA Identifier 2457530, Local Identifier 428-NPC-11119, Search Identifier SAMMA File 428-NPC-11119.

U.S. Navy Vought F4U-1D Corsairs of Fighting Squadron (VF) 5 "Fighting Hellcats" on the flight deck of USS Franklin (CV-13), March 1945. Note Franklin's geometric air group identification symbol on the Corsair. Photo by LCDR H. Bristol, U.S. Navy. National Naval Aviation Museum photo, No. 1996.253.7141.032.

The Stain of the Franklin. Analysis of National Archives and Records photograph 80-G-K-3815, by Darren Large.

"Probably the ultimate "Murderers' Row" photo with 10 Essex-class carriers plus the Enterprise in the anchorage. It must also have been taken on the 13th March 1945 shortly after the arrival of Task Group 12.2. The Randolph in berth #27 had been hit two days previously whilst at anchor by a long range kamikaze strike. The repair ship USS Jason (AR-8) is visible alongside (unknown source)."

"Ulithi Anchorage looking north: Berth #5: USS South Dakota (BB-57), #6 USS Massachusetts (BB-59), #8 USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), #101 USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), #27 USS Randolph (CV-15) and USS Jason (AR-8), #28 USS Hornet (CV-12), #29 USS Wasp (CV-18), #30 USS Bennington (CV-20), #26 USS Essex (CV-9), #25 USS Intrepid (CV-11), #24 USS Enterprise (CV-6), #23 USS Yorktown (CV-10), #22 USS Hancock (CV-19), #21 USS Franklin (CV-13). (All positions correlate with war logs of each ship and the mooring plan.)"

"My Cruise Aboard The 'Big Ben' U.S.S. Franklin CV-13," February–April 1945, by J. Harold "Hal" Smith.

"Story of Phil and Hal Smith, two brothers aboard USS Enterprise and USS Franklin," by Dixie Smith.

Kermit (left) and Hal Smith in the Navy, 1946.

ARM R22 B NATechTraCen Memphis '45. Kermit Smith is 3rd from left, middle row.

Back of NS021353c.

"US Navy Sailor With Two Large Fish, USS Franklin (CV-13), WWII."

From the Estate of a WWII US Navy Combat Photographer.

"(NY1)—NEW YORK, May 22[, 1945]—BOMB-WRECKED U.S.S. FRANKLIN'S CREW DECORATED—In ceremonies on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Franklin in Brooklyn Navy Yard here yesterday, officers and men of the bomb-smashed vessel receive decorations. The carrier, hit by two bombs while operating near Japan, suffered heavy damage and personnel loss but limped the 12,000 miles home. (AP Wirephoto)"

Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare) Vice Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch gives awards aboard USS Franklin (CV-13), 1945. Two-hundred and thirty-two officers and men of the aircraft carrier were rewarded for their courageous efforts during the attack on 19 March 1945. In two ceremonies at the New York Navy Yard, where the ship was being repaired, presentations of 12 Navy Crosses, 20 Silver Star Medals and 92 Bronze Star Medals were made. The remainder of the awards included Purple Hearts and Letters of Commendation.

All Hands magazine, August 1945 issue, p.56–57.

Bayonne Naval Supply Depot, New Jersey. Photographed on 15 April 1953 with ships in reserve. The two large ships at right on the near side of the peninsula are Alaska (CB-1) and Guam (CB-2). The next two ships astern are North Carolina (BB-55) and Washington (BB-56). Further astern are (from outboard to inboard) Fargo (CL-106), Albemarle (AV-5) and Wakefield (AP-21). The carriers Enterprise (CVA-6) and Franklin (CVA-13) are at the far left. Also present are the escort carriers Card (CVE-11), Croatan (CVE-25), Mission Bay (CVE-59) and Guadalcanal (CVE-60) along with the cruisers Providence (CL-82), Little Rock (CL-92), Spokane (CLAA-120) and Fresno (CLAA-121). One of the two CLAAs is tied up outboard of the Alaskas.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-480262.

Bayonne, N.J., August 1960; with Wisconsin (BB-64).

Bayonne, N.J., August 1961. Note the missing portion of her flight deck which was used in 1959 to fix that of Valley Forge (CVS-45).

"Franklin On the Move Again—The aircraft carrier Franklin (CV 13) took a trip a couple of months ago. But this could hardly compare with the grueling voyage described in our special supplement."

"She changed resting areas at the Naval Supply Center, Bayonne, N.J."

"Franklin has been part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet since February 1947."

"The new berths will give greater protection against the elements and will also permit better port operations. The move will make available more docking space and expedite dredging operation to accommodate a large variety of ships."

"Another member of the mothball fleet, the anti-submarine warfare carrier Leyte (CVS 32) was moved at the same time."

All Hands magazine, November 1964 issue, page 60.

Norfolk, Virginia, 1965. Ex-Franklin was towed there from Bayonne, New Jersey, to be stripped (MILSTRIP) before being sold for scrapping.

Ex-USS Franklin awaiting her fate, April 1967.

Ex-USS Franklin at Jacobson Salvage in Chesapeake, VA prior to scrap, August 1967.

Ex-USS Franklin being scrapped.

Color image, as above. Jacobson Salvage, 1966.

As above, stern view, 1967.