Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
5:17 | While stationed near the Brooklyn Naval yard awaiting repairs of the USS Franklin, the war ended.
Keywords : Brooklyn Naval Yard
Born in China Grove NC, John Bostian graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in 1936. As WW2 approached and to avoid being drafted, John joined the Navy and was admitted into the Naval Academy in 1942 until May 1943. Upon graduation from the academy, John was assigned to the USS Arkansas where he crossed the North Atlantic as part of a convoy. After serving aboard the USS Arkansas, John returned to Norfolk Naval Yard where he was assigned to the USS Franklin.
After serving aboard the USS Arkansas, John Bostian returned to Norfolk Naval Yard where he was assigned to the USS Franklin. He trained on the operation of the ships engines and mechanical systems. This is the story of the first time the USS Franklin was attacked near the Philippines.
Following the first attack by Japanese planes near the Philippines, The USS Franklin was repaired and returned to service in the Pacific theater as part of Task Force 58. On the second day after joining up with the fleet, in March of 1945, the Franklin was attacked by Japanese planes. The ship was sent to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repair.
