U.S. Aircraft carrier completes Saga of the Sea. On March 19, 1945, the U.S.S.

U.S. Aircraft carrier completes Saga of the Sea. On March 19, 1945, the U.S.S. Franklin, an Essexclass aircraft carrier, was hit by enemy bombs while participating in air strikes against the Japanese floot in the enemy's Inland Sea. Operating less than 60 miles (96) kms) from the Japanese coast with many of het planes fully armed and fuelled, the carrier was attacked by a Japanese dive-bomber which scered two hits with qaurter-ten armor-piercing bombs. The ship was an inferno of flames with her bombs.