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A People at War headerNational Archives and Records Administration
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Introduction
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Prelude to War
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New Roles
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Women Who Served
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The War in the Pacific
Mess Attendant First Class Doris Miller
The Sullivan Brothers
Robert Fredrick Read: Photographer
Joseph Timothy O'Callahan and The U.S.S. Franklin
spacerThe War in Europe
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Science Pitches In

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The War is Over
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The aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin, pictured here, was struck by two Japanese suicide bombers (kamikaze) on March 19, 1945, while only 60 miles from the coast of Japan.

U.S.S. Franklin burning

 

Lt.Comdr. Joseph Timothy O'Callahan helping wounded sailorThe chaplain aboard the Franklin, Lt. Comdr. Joseph Timothy O'Callahan, ministered to the wounded. Chaplain O'Callahan also manned fire hoses, went into smoke-filled areas to rescue trapped sailors, and entered hot turrets to cool off ammunition with water so that it could be thrown overboard. Chaplain O'Callahan was the first chaplain to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Civil War.

 

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