On 19 March 1945, while maneuvering close to the Japanese homeland, Franklin was attacked by a single Japanese plane which made a low level run on the ship and dropped two armor-piercing bombs. One struck the flight deck centerline, penetrating to the hangar deck, causing severe damage and igniting fires through the second and third decks. The second bomb hit aft, tearing through two deck and detonating ammunition, bombs and rockets. Franklin lay dead in the water, took a 13-degree starboard list, lost all radio communications and was enveloped by fire. Many of the crew were either blown overboard, driven off by fire, or killed or wounded. Remaining were 106 officers and 604 enlisted, who saved the ship. Franklin remained afloat and after a tow from USS Pittsburgh, proceeded under her own power to Pearl Harbor for repairs. 724 killed; 265 wounded.
 

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