I Was Chaplain on the Franklin

by Joseph T. O'Callahan

On the morning of March 19, 1945, about 50 miles off the coast of Japan, the aircraft carrier USS "Franklin" was bombed by Japanese Aircraft.

Genres: World War II, History

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Andrew Brod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every military chaplain should read this book as should every shipboard Sailor or Marine. Inspiring and detailed, O’Callahan recounts a few days of hell and heroism that all military members should be ready to ape if, God forbid, they face similar circumstances.

[Daniel Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I read it-
I originally heard of this amazing story from my Grandpa who witnessed some of it so I'd thought I'd check this book out.

Overview-

The book is written in first person and is a autobiography of Joseph Timothy O'Callahan of when a japanese bomber kamikazed into the USS Franklin (CV-13), a aircraft carrier, during WW2.

Small Synopsis-
I will give you a small synopsis for you readers but it wont spill the goods...Father O'Callahan was serving on the USS Franklin as a navy chaplain when a Japanese bomber kamikazed into its flight deck. O'Callahan was awarded the congressional medal of honor for saving so many lives by going into the ammunition hold and dumping the live ammo into the water so it wouldn't explode killing the whole crew along with him and destroying the ship.

My opinion-

I think O'Callahan wrote this book exceptionally well. He describes every moment from taking the first step onto the ship to feeling the heat of the flames on the flight deck. He gives us every detail that he saw and experienced from talking with sailors in the mess hall about dinner to the last parts of the book when the carrier was at a steady steam into the Ulithi Atoll after it was hit to get repairs and let its dead and wounded off. At first it starts a little slow but then gradually builds and hits the high point at about a third of the way through the book.

Conclusion-

I thought this book was great and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys WW2 history and the pacific campaign. It also had a slight taste of a early thriller when the climax came. This 200 page book packs a big punch for a little package

[Trip Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very detailed and beautifully written

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father O'Callahan was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions onboard the USS Franklin March 19th, 1945, his book describes his point of view of that day. It was an easy read and with some elements of religion (after Father O'Callahan was a Jesuit)but mostly a modest version of what happened. Like many other Medal of Honor awardees he was modest that he was merely a caretaker of the medal for the others whose actions were not recognized. He showed great leadership but placed the trust the sailors put in him because of his helmet which had a cross on the helmet. I think this is the core of his modesty the sailors followed Fr. O'Callahan through Hell because he was a role model of serenity in chaos. If you want to know about the Franklin's ordeal there are many books out there Steve Jackson's Lucky Lady is good and A.A. Hoehling's Franklin Comes Home are two others but a great one in Inferno by Joseph Springer. To start any study of the Franklin one should start with O'Callahan's book.

[Katrin Albritton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's one thing to read this book as a historical memoir, but for me it was a little bit more.

My grandfather was mentioned in this book. He was the supply officer who stayed on board, after others had left, who helped secure rations for the rest of the sailors who stayed. He was a lieutenant junior grade at the time, and ultimately, he retired a captain many years later. I'm very proud of my grandfather, and it was a very emotional experience to read what he had gone through on board the USS Franklin. Sniff!

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very brief autobiography about the actual events. Knowing the history you know he rejected the navy cross but was eventually given the Medal of Honor. This very quick walk through of the events shows the humility and fast thinking of one of the us navy’s finest chaplains

[Charles Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pursuing my current interest in memoirs by Jesuits who served as chaplains in World War II.

[Christopher Pokorny · Rating 5 out of 5]

First hand account of Chaplain O’Callahan’s (USN) conspicuous gallantry aboard the USS Franklin, for which he was ultimately recognized with the Medal of Honor. Inspirational for all service members and citizens.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith and bravery under the most arduous of circumstances in World War II.