Name/Title
Big Ben "704" Club Membership Card of Donald GaryScope and Content
A plastic-encased Big Ben "704" Club membership card belonging to Donald Gary, Lieutenant. The card is signed by Captain Leslie Gehres of the USS Franklin (CV-13).Context
After the attack on the USS Franklin (CV-13), Captain Leslie E. Gehres issued membership cards to men who stayed on board the ship throughout the attack. The cards became a point of contention among crewmembers as many of the men had jumped from the ship into the water to escape the flames and certain death. Others were blown off the decks and from the hanger below. Gehres promised charges and courts-martial for the other "deserters." The "704 Club" cards are incredibly rare since many crewmembers threw them away as they felt their shipmates were treated unfairly by Gehres.
This card belonged to Medal of Honor recipient, Lt. Donald "Don" Gary. An engineering officer aboard the USS Franklin, Gary received the medal for his actions during the March 19, 1945 attack on the Franklin. Gary rescued several hundred sailors trapped in a compartment below decks, leading them in groups through the smoke and flames until all were topside.Collection
USS FRANKLIN CV13/CVA13/CVS13/AVT8Acquisition
Accession
2002.00023Source or Donor
USS FRANKLIN CV-13 Museum Association, Inc.Acquisition Method
GiftUpdate Date
May 27, 2025