The following letter was written by Lee Pond, a sailor aboard the USS Franklin, in the aftermath of the devastating attack on March 19, 1945. Addressed to a woman named Vera, the letter offers a rare and deeply personal eyewitness account of the chaos, destruction, and bravery witnessed that day.

The letter was preserved in a family collection and generously shared with us by Brad Cleghorn, whose aunt Vera was the recipient. Although Lee and Vera never married, this heartfelt message stands as a powerful tribute to the human connections forged during wartime—and to the resilience of those who served aboard the Franklin.