The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Franke. Franke joined the Navy in December of 1942. He completed radio, radar and gunnery school in Memphis, Tennessee. He first trained in an ABX with hand-crank antennas. He then completed gunnery school aboard a Grumman TBF Avenger in Florida. In February of 1944 he volunteered for night flying in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. His unit practiced night flying to and from the USS Independence (CVL-22), in preparation to attack the Japanese at night. He shares details of his specialized training in Massachusetts. In the fall of 1944 his unit practiced night flying in F6s to and from the USS Independence (CVL-22). They also completed anti-submarine patrol missions. Later in 1944 they participated in the Palau and Philippine operations, supporting landings at Angaur Island, Mindanao and Luzon. Franke shares his experiences over Formosa of a battle between the night fighters and some Japanese bombers. After their outfit was broken up, he started a training group in Vero Beach, Florida.