Courtesy Photo | USS Franklin burning and listing after Japanese air attack, March 19, 1945.... read more read more
KENT, Ohio – Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Ohio, Division Six Leading Chief Petty Officer, Chief Navy Counselor (AW) Robert C. Miller, presented an award to World War II veteran James Simms at his home in Kent, Ohio. Miller presented the award on behalf of the We Honor Vets program, a collaboration of the Veterans Administration and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization to thank our veterans for their service.
Miller said, “I feel it is a great way to show our appreciation to our veterans. So many times they get forgotten. When I presented the award I could tell that this was a very emotional moment for him. I was very honored to have the chance to meet a ‘walking, talking history book.’”
Miller stated that it was obvious that it meant a lot to Simms and that by the turnout it was apparent that he was well liked.
“To some people it may have looked like a plain pin. To him it showed that his service to this country did not go unnoticed,” said Miller. “This was the first time I was ever asked to do such a thing and I would do it again.”
Simms served on the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV 13) as a Seaman 2nd Class, now Seaman Apprentice, when it was attacked by Japanese on March 19, 1945 while operating within 50 miles off the coast of Japan. He was trapped with about 125 other crew members for four hours in the Mess Decks after the ship was hit by two 500 pound bombs. Casualties from the attack totaled 724 killed and 265 wounded.
“I was not frightened,” said Simms. “You don’t have time to worry too much.”
After getting rescued, Simms was transferred to the Cleveland-class light cruiser USS Santa Fe (CL 60) which dropped him off in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
According to the Naval History and Heritage Command the Franklin was towed by the Baltimore-class heavy cruiser USS Pittsburgh (CA 72) until its crew could restore power the next day. Franklin stopped first at Ulithi Naval Base in the Caroline Islands on March 25, 1945 for emergency repairs. On April 3 it arrived at Pearl Harbor where an inspection team surveyed the damage and ordered the ship to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for major repair.
Simms spent the next nine months in Hawaii working as a plane captain, inspecting aircraft prior to take off. Then he was shipped off to cook school and spent the remainder of his time assigned to Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco.
Dina Douglas, Social Work and Bereavement Coordinator, Robinson Visiting Nurse and Hospice said, “I love it and want to do more. I have a special place in my heart for veterans.”
She indicated that this is a new program for her office and with more than a third of their patients being veterans she is sure that they will have many more pinning ceremonies.
The pin is in the shape of Ohio, with the American flag and a blue flag representing honored veterans.
| Date Taken: | 03.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2014 11:21 |
| Story ID: | 128386 |
| Location: | KENT, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 259 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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