I Was Chaplain on the Franklin

By Joseph T. O'Callahan

Book Overview

On the morning of March 19, 1945, about fifty miles off the coast of Japan, the aircraft carrier USS Franklin was bombed by Japanese aircraft. Two heavy bombs penetrated the hangar deck killing everyone inside. The planes on the flight deck were knocked into the air, their whirling propellers smashing gas tanks which spilled 17,000 gallons of gasoline. Fires raged from stem to stern on three decks. For four interminable hours, explosions rocked the Franklin. All communications, fire mains and power were gone. Into the thick of the choking smoke and fury came a hero with a white cross on his helmet. Padre to the Catholic, Rabbi Joe to the Jewish boys, Chaplain O'Callahan was Father to everyone on board. Father O'Callahan tells of his own experiences, recapturing the perilous and heroic drama of the Franklin. He leads you through blazing decks to observe gallant engineers and pharmacists, doctors and stewards man the battle stations. He recalls moments of his own inspired leadership. He describes a host of dramatic episodes on a stricken ship that refused to sink. When the Franklin finally limped into Pearl Harbor, it was the most damaged ship ever to reach port. Its casualty list was the highest in Navy history--432 dead and over 1,000 wounded. Big Ben was bombed, battered, bruised and bent, but like the spirit of the men on board, she was not broken. For his conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty, Father O'Callahan received the only Congressional Medal of Honor ever awarded a navy chaplain. His inspiring account of the Franklin's travail is more than a story of heroism, war, and men. It is a powerful and unforgettable story of faith.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1682474771
• ISBN13: 9781682474778
• Release Date: May 2019
• Publisher: Naval Institute Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

amazing war tale

I first read this book in the mid 1980s and was amazed at its message, candor and realism. With stirring detail Father O'Callahan takes us inside his own world - that of a young Catholic priest trying to save lives and souls aboard a burning and exploding WWII aircraft carrier in the Pacific- the USS Franklin. Recommend it to history buffs, and anybody who enjoys a gripping and thought-provoking read.

A great story of a very brave religious warrior!

This story of the bravery of Fr. Joseph O'Callahan, the Congressional Medal of Honor winning Jesuit priest who was the Chaplain aboard the Franklin when she was dombed 50 miles off the coast of Japan is spellbinding. The words of Fr. O'Callahan, who taught at Boston College before the war and Holy Cross after, are easy to read and understand. His courage is not. His concern for the morale of the men and his recognition of therole of the stewarts in saving the ship speak voluimnes about his Christianity. He really makes the events come to life and offers insights on the command structure in combat.