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USS Franklin (CV-13) VMF-214 Pilots Black Sheep Squadron
Standing from left to right: Stan 'Red' Free, Art Schmagel and Ken Linder. Seated from left to right: Carl Determing, Al Sibbernsen and Bob McDonnell April 16th, 1945 at either the Sir Francis Drake or the Saint Francis Hotel in San Francisco, CA.
Red Free and Carl Determing flew on the 0530 strike of March 19, 1945 (two of the eleven pilots). Art Schmagel and Al Sibbernsen were on FRANKLIN when she was hit; both Art and Al jumped over board to avoid being burned to death -- they were rescued by another ship. Bob (Robert J.) McDonnell and Ken Linder both took off at 0700 immediately before being hit. They continued onto their mission before returning to land on other ships.
Courtesy Allison Lavington |
