Summary and Key Points: The USS Franklin (CV-13), an Essex-class aircraft carrier, was one of the most decorated ships in U.S. Navy history. Commissioned in January 1944, it participated in numerous World War II Pacific campaigns. The carrier endured severe attacks, including kamikaze strikes and bomb hits, causing significant casualties.

-Despite being heavily damaged and nearly abandoned, the ship's crew heroically saved it, earning the nickname "The Ship That Wouldn't Die."

-The Franklin's crew received numerous awards, including two Medals of Honor. After the war, the ship was decommissioned and never returned to active service, marking a notable chapter in naval history.

Twenty-four Essex-class aircraft carriers were built for the U.S. Navy during World War II, and only two did not continue their service during the Cold War. One of those was the USS Franklin (CV-13). The ship received numerous awards, including four battle stars for service. Meanwhile its sailors become one of the most decorated crews in Navy history.

What makes this all the more notable is that the Essex-class carrier was only commissioned on January 31, 1944. Deployed to the Pacific, CV-13 took part in the Mariana Islands Campaign, providing air support during amphibious landings on the Bonin Islands, Guam, and the Palau Islands, among others. The carrier took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and on October 30, 1944, was........

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