WW2 Chapter 31 - Equator Certificate




Franklin's "Equator Certificate" (click to enlarge)

On October 1, 1944, Franklin's 7th Infantry Division was aboard ship, travelling between the Marshall Islands and the Admiralty Islands in the southern Pacific. On that day, he was awarded a "certificate" during a traditional naval ceremony given for those crossing the equator for the first time. In later correspondence, Franklin indicates that "there's quite a story behind its presentation."

U.S.S. Golden City

At that time, he was aboard the U.S.S. Golden City, a large troop transport ship that was 460 feet long and able to accommodate over 1,000 men. The ship reportedly left Hawaii on September 15 with brief stops at the Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands and at Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands of New Guinea. The U.S.S. Golden then delivered the 7th Division troops to the Philippines on October 20 for their assault on Leyte. During their journey, the ship was probably accompanied by battleships in case they encountered enemy forces.

Franklin's "certificate" was signed by C.M. Furlow, Jr. who was the naval captain of the U.S.S. Golden City, as well as C.E. Rhodes, Jr. who was apparently his infantry captain.