World War II Honoree

John C. Hensel

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Utica, New York

Honored By

Americo V. Vasso

Relationship

Friend

AIRCRAFT ORDINANCE, 3RD CLASS. ENTERED THE SERVICE ON JUNE 22, 1943 AND RECEIVED HIS RECRUIT TRAINING AT SAMPSON, NEW YORK. RECEIVED SPECIALIZED OPERATIONAL TRAINING IN AIRBORNE RADAR. ATTENDED GUNNERY SCHOOL AT HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA AND OPERATIONAL TRAINING AT FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA. AFTER MANY MONTHS OF ADDITIONAL FLIGHT TRAINING, NIGHT FLIGHTS, GROUP FLIGHTS AND ROCKET FIRING, WAS ASSIGNED TO THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS FRANKLIN; FEBRUARY - MARCH 1945 WITH A FULL COMPLEMENT OF AIR GROUP 5. PREPARED FOR BATTLE TO ATTACK THE JAPANESE ISLAND. ON MARCH 19, 1945, A JAPANESE JUDY BOMBER FLYING UNDER THE RADAR DROPPED TWO FIVE HUNDRED POUND BOMBS AND HIT THE FRANKLIN CAUSING SEVERE EXPLOSIONS AND FIRES. HE WAS BLOWN OFF THE SHIP AND WAS FORTUNATE TO BE HELPED ONTO A RAFT. RESCUED BY THE DESTROYER USS HICKOX (DD-673). RECEIVED THE AMERICAN THEATER MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL WITH ONE STAR AND ALSO A PURPLE HEART MEDAL. DISCHARGED ON APRIL 18, 1946 AND RETURNED HOME TO UTICA, NEW YORK