WWII survivors to speak

    The U.S.S. Franklin suffered the highest casualty rate of any ship during World War II.

   On March 18 and 19, 1945, it was severely damaged, and 700 people lost their lives.

   Finding survivors becomes even more difficult as time passes.

   The NW Campus is holding a program in remembrance of that event Tuesday, April 30, 11 a.m.- 12:20 p.m. in B-118 East.

   A panel of three survivors and the son of a victim will speak to students about the tragedy and the effect it had on their lives.

   One of the speakers, Frank Turner, was a naval aviator. He was in air combat during the attack.

   George Fain Black, another survivor, is traveling from Houston to speak.

   He has never spoken publicly about the incident.

   Gayle Bowen, a survivor traveling from Canyon, is currently writing a book about the Franklin tragedy.

   Another speaker, Richard Simms, was 7 years old when his father died on the Franklin.

   He will relate to students what it was like to lose a loved one to the tragedy and the effect it had on his life.

   Vesta Wheatley, NW Campus student activities director, said the program will enable students to relate more personally to the war.

   “It will give students historical information through personal insight of survivors,” she said.