The USS *Franklin* (CV-13), an American aircraft carrier, was strikingly close to the Japanese home islands during World War II due to its participation in a series of aggressive raids against Japan's industrial and military targets in the latter stages of the war. This mission, part of the broader strategy of the U.S. Navy to weaken Japan's war-making capabilities, was part of a campaign that brought the fight directly to Japan's doorstep, even as the Allies were still fighting across the Pacific.
On March 19, 1945, the *Franklin* was part of a strike force sent to attack the Japanese mainland, specifically targeting military and industrial sites in the vicinity of Tokyo. The carrier was operating off the coast of Japan, less than 50 miles from the mainland, in what was a very high-risk operation. The U.S. Navy was aware that the Japanese would likely launch a desperate counterattack in response to these raids, as they had done in other battles. While they were prepared for the possibility of attacks, the *Franklin* and its accompanying ships were specifically tasked with carrying out these dangerous operations in the hopes of damaging Japan’s industrial capacity and morale.
On the day of the attack, the *Franklin* was hit by a Japanese bomber’s bomb, causing catastrophic damage and killing over 800 men. Despite this, the crew managed to save the carrier, though it was forced to return to the U.S. for repairs.
The *Franklin* was accompanied by a considerable escort, which included several destroyers and a cruiser for air defense and protection against potential Japanese counterattacks. However, despite this, the *Franklin* was still vulnerable to air strikes, especially given how close it was operating to the Japanese main islands. The risks were high, but so were the stakes—bringing the fight closer to Japan was seen as essential to hastening the end of the war.