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.

The 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.