Hello, Mr Killmer-John
Garvey-(Web-Master Sandy
Taylor) and J Stevens,
First friends, may we
observe,
the very interesting
number again (13) the
USS
Franklin CV-13 (a very
good luck number)
Mr. Killmer, I was
serving on board the
heavy cruiser
the USS San Francisco
CA-38,I remember this
date,
I have many times talked
about the sight that I
witnessed on this day,
19-March 1945
The USS San Francisco
with several US
destroyers
were doing escort duties
when this Japanese air
attack
occurred,-On this clear
beautifully day we
cruised in
step together, suddenly,
The Franklin was under
attack,
burning with hugues
bellows of smoke. I see
this sight
today, every day, it was
awesome-62 years
ago, horrible, I see our
air-planes lined up in a
landing circle with some
touching the deck
landing
thur smoke while others
are exciting the flight
deck
with a full load of fuel
and amo-a sight that we
could
only watch but can-not
give support or help,
and it
became even more
stunning - enemy air
craft appeared
from he clouds t share
in the kill, like
vultures from the sky. A
dog fight ensued right
above this great wounded
carrier
(Remember-13-V13)
USS San Francisco
gentleman, we should add
these facts
to our Web Site under
ships links -etc.
Now little more
information. As I
boarded the San
Francisco in
Pearl Harbor in
March 1941,a friendly
shipmate welcomed me
into his division,
"Chief Baca"
a career sailor, and a
highly respected boxer.
Some months later (Chief
Baca) was transferred to
new
ship construction and
some how he was assigned
to the
USS Benjamin Franklin CV
13 (see number 13
again), Baca
we learned later, was
killed during this
engagement of
19 March 1945. Sad and
do the peace marchers
today
understand the price
that men like Chief Baca
paid for
their right to march and
scream FREEDOM its free
?????
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Johnny and all,
Thanks. memories,
memories. Shipmate Baca. Yes, I
remember him. He
was indeed a boxer. One of the
best. And one of the Frisco's
finest
crewmen. I did not know he
was killed while later serving
aboard the Franklin.
What we all learned back then is
that truly Freedom is not Free.
Trouble in the streets. Trouble
on our borders. Trouble
overseas. All
on the verge of getting out of
control. This generation of
doers and shakers
better wake up, else all of the
crazies will soon be in the
driver's seat and will have a
barroom brawl on their hands.
By the way, I'm moving back to
Dixon. Too many memories there.
More
about that later. I'm fine,
still sitting up and taking
nourishment, as the
saying goes, and hope all of you
are too.
My best, Heber
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