Portrait of Franklin William Gogins in uniform

Franklin William Gogins

World War II Naval Service · Lieutenant, Junior Grade (Lt. j.g.), USNR
Patrol Bombing Squadron 25 (VPB-25)
Navy · Officer file no. 346901
Navy File No.
346901
Rank
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (Lt. j.g.), USNR
Documented Squadron
Patrol Bombing Squadron 25 (VPB-25)
Qualification
Naval Aviator (A1)
Theater
Pacific War Area
This timeline reconstructs Franklin's World War II service from the his NAVPERS-553 separation notice, Navy squadron records, and award correspondence, searched by Navy file number. Each entry cites its source; squadron-level history is labeled as context and is not presented as proof of his personal location. Items marked Newly discovered were recovered from the records.

Newspaper accounts and a yearbook entry trace his earlier life. Each entry identifies the basis for its identification; newspaper dates identify the issue unless an event date is explicitly established.

View the photographs and documents shared by the family.

VPB-25 Deployment Map

This maps VPB-25's documented deployment, not a verified stop-by-stop itinerary for Gogins. His 1 January 1945 roster and DFC citation prove squadron affiliation. All plotted stops remain unit context.

Source: VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, images 00002-00003, 00006-00009, 00012, 00016; November 1944 War Diary, NARA NAID 139780831, image 00000; December 1944 War Diary, NARA NAID 139815493, image 00000; February 1945 War Diary, NARA NAID 139920691, image 00000

Map of VPB-25's documented WWII deployment route

Squadron stops

  1. Harvey Point, N.C.VP-25 commissioned 20 Apr 1944
  2. Alameda, CaliforniaVP-25 reported 21 Aug; delayed aircraft arrived 28 Aug 1944
  3. Kaneohe Bay, OahuVP-25 work-up and black aircraft finish
  4. Johnston IslandVPB-25 staging stop
  5. Ebeye, KwajaleinVPB-25 staging stop
  6. Los Negros, ManusVPB-25 staging stop
  7. Woendi, BiakVPB-25 staging stop
  8. Leyte Gulf, P.I.VPB-25 at Half Moon and San Pablo, 22 Nov 1944
  9. Mangarin Bay, MindoroVPB-25 China Sea operations, Dec 1944-Feb 1945
  10. Jinamoc I., Leyte GulfVPB-25 transfer, 6-10 Feb 1945

Route notes

  • 1 → 2VP-25 flights departed 19-21 Aug 1944; arrivals continued through 28 Aug
  • 2 → 3VP-25, 15 Sep 1944: 14 planes out, 13 arrived
  • 3 → 4
  • 4 → 5
  • 5 → 6
  • 6 → 7
  • 7 → 8VPB-25: six thousand miles in five sections, 15-22 Nov 1944
  • 8 → 9VPB-25: diary dates move to 29 Dec 1944; later history says 30 Dec
  • 9 → 10VPB-25 transfer began 6 Feb; later history lists Jinamoc base on 10 Feb 1945

How to read this Navy service timeline

Personal records and squadron records answer different questions. The labels below show whether an entry is about Gogins himself or about VPB-25 as a unit.

Confirmed — Separation record

His separation notice directly supports the entry.

Confirmed — Unit record

A Navy roster or award record names him directly.

Context

A squadron record documents VPB-25, but does not by itself prove his personal location or mission.

Newly discovered

Information recovered during this research rather than supplied at the start.

How to read the VPB-25 muster-roll set

The downloaded NARA set contains 208 images dated from April 1944 through February 1946. Most are enlisted muster rolls and change reports. Gogins was a commissioned officer, so his decisive entry appears instead on the unit's Roster of Officers, NavPers-353.

Page 00068, line 36, gives his Navy file number, name, rank, date of rank, and A1 aviator designator. The continuation page 00069 uses the same line number for his Bombs and Pyrotechnics collateral duty. The yellow bands are editorial overlays; each image opens to the unchanged archival scan.

Common Navy and research terms
Navy file number
The officer-file identifier used to tie Gogins to records: 346901. It is not an Army Serial Number.
NAVPERS-553
His Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service, summarizing service through release from active duty.
Muster roll
A Navy personnel record, usually focused on enlisted personnel and changes. An officer may instead appear on a Roster of Officers.
Unit record
A record created by VPB-25 or another Navy command. The timeline states whether it names Gogins or supplies squadron context only.
OMPF
The Official Military Personnel File. Gogins's Navy OMPF has been requested but has not been received.
A1
The naval-aviator designator printed beside his name on the roster and separation notice.
VP / VPB
Navy patrol-squadron designations. VP-25 was redesignated VPB-25 in 1944.
Battle star
Campaign participation credit worn on an authorized ribbon. His form records three but does not identify their ribbon assignment.
Source citation
The note beneath an entry identifying the record or records that support it.
Context
Information about the squadron that should not be read as a personal event unless a record also names him.

Life and Service Timeline

15 min
Confirmed — Record
June 21, 1921

Born in Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota

Franklin William Gogins is born in Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota.
Source: Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service (NAVPERS-553), boxes 12; family-held Gogins military-info PDF, page 1; Selective Service registration card; VA National Cemetery Administration gravesite record
Likely match — Early life
December 21, 1933 - newspaper report

Named on a Woodland Methodist basketball roster

The Duluth Herald lists Franklin Gogins on Woodland Methodist's intermediate-league basketball roster, alongside William Sutherland, Ed Merritt and William Merritt. The name and recurring associates make this a likely account of Franklin, then 12. The date is the newspaper's publication date.
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Complete basketball article, including the headline and both division rosters. Franklin Gogins appears in the intermediate Woodland Methodist list. Click the image to enlarge. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Duluth Herald, December 21, 1933, page 6
Likely match — Early life
March 5, 1934 - newspaper report

Completes requirements for Scout advancement

A Duluth Herald notice names Franklin Gogins, Troop 20, among Scouts who completed requirements for second-class advancement. A court of awards was scheduled for the coming Thursday at Washington Junior High School. This is a likely match to Franklin, then 12. The notice announces the ceremony; it does not establish that he received a badge on March 5.
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Scout advancement story, first column, including the headline and Franklin Gogins of Troop 20. Continued below. Click the image to enlarge. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
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Scout advancement story, second and final column. The opening completes the name Edmond from the preceding column. Click the image to enlarge.
Source: Duluth Herald, March 5, 1934, page 4
Likely match — Early life
March 8, 1937 - newspaper report

Named among Scouts due to receive Eagle badges

Under Four Scouts to Get Eagle Badges, the Duluth Herald names Franklin Gogins, Troop 20, in a photograph caption. The presentation was scheduled for the coming Thursday at the North Star council court of honor. The name, troop and youth context make this a likely match to Franklin, then 15. This records an announced presentation, not proof of the award date.
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Complete headline, photograph and caption. The printed caption names Franklin Gogins among the standing Scouts. Click the image to enlarge. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Duluth Herald, March 8, 1937, page 7
Likely match — Early life
August 16, 1937 - newspaper report

Camp Lawrie honors reported

The Duluth Herald reports that Franklin Gogins of Troop 20, Woodland, was selected as a best all-round camper at Camp Lawrie. He is also named among those admitted to the Chi Lambda camp honor fraternity and those receiving Scout life guard awards. These are likely references to Franklin, then 16. The awards were reported on August 16; the article describes the preceding camp period.
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Original headline of the Camp Lawrie and Camp Williamson report. Click the image to enlarge.
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Complete first column, including the Camp Lawrie honors and all references to Franklin Gogins. Continued below. Click the image to enlarge. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
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Second and final column, completing the award lists and swimming report. Click the image to enlarge.
Source: Duluth Herald, August 16, 1937, page 5
Likely match — Early life
October 16, 1937 - newspaper report

Named chairman of the church ushers

A Woodland Methodist church account names Franklin Gogins, Jr., as chairman of the ushers. The same account lists Mrs. Pearl Gogins on the music committee. His Jr. name and the connection to his known mother's name make this a strong likely match. The article does not explicitly state their relationship or the date he took the role.
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Original heading of the church-news feature containing the Woodland Methodist account. Click the image to enlarge.
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Woodland Methodist account, beginning at the foot of the middle column. Continued below. Click the image to enlarge.
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Complete continuation of the Woodland Methodist account, including Franklin Gogins Jr., Mrs. Pearl Gogins and all committee lists. Other Gogins names also appear in this account. Click the image to enlarge. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Duluth Herald, October 16, 1937, page 3
Likely match — Early life
January 28, 1938 - newspaper report

A named portrait and a youth-league role

The Duluth Herald prints a portrait captioned Franklin Gogins, Jr. and announces that he will direct installation of new Woodland Epworth League members at the coming Sunday's meeting. A supper was planned with the Woodland Methodist church official board as guests. This is a strong likely match to Franklin, then 16. The identification rests on the printed name and context.
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Complete Director feature: portrait, printed name and installation announcement for Franklin Gogins Jr. Click the image to enlarge. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Duluth Herald, January 28, 1938, page 15
Likely match — Early life
June 14, 1938 - newspaper report

Elected president of the Woodland Epworth League

The Duluth Herald reports that Franklin Gogins, Jr., was elected president of the Woodland Epworth League at its Sunday-evening cabinet election. The same organization and familiar associates connect this strong likely match with the earlier notices. Franklin was one week short of his seventeenth birthday. June 14 is the publication date, not the election date.
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Complete Woodland Epworth League notice, including the election results and summer meeting plans. Click the image to enlarge. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Duluth Herald, June 14, 1938, page 17
Likely match — Early life
June 28, 1938 - newspaper report

Named in a dramatic-program cast

A Duluth Herald cast list includes Franklin Gogins, Jr., alongside Arthur Swanson Jr., Virginia Merritt and Mary Jane Sutherland, names recurring in the Woodland group's activities. This is a strong likely match to Franklin, then 17. The notice does not assign him a particular role; the displayed date is the issue date.
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Complete dramatic-program notice, first part: the Woodland Epworth League announcement. Continued below. Click the image to enlarge.
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Second and final part: all three play titles and the full cast list, including Franklin Gogins Jr. Click the image to enlarge. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Duluth Herald, June 28, 1938, page 4
Family confirmed — Early life
1939 school year

Frank in the Duluth Central yearbook

The 1939 Zenith lists Gogins, Frank with football, swimming, History, Hi-Y and Mathematics activities. The family has confirmed that this entry is Frank.
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Printed page 35. The entry Gogins, Frank is at bottom right. Identity confirmed by the family. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Duluth Central High School, Zenith, 1939, printed page 35
Likely match — Early life
April 8, 1939 - newspaper report

Named in the Easter pageant cast

Woodland Methodist's announced Easter program names Franklin Gogins, Jr., among the tableau participants in Way of the Cross. The Jr. name, church and recurring associates make this a strong likely match to Franklin, then 17. The pageant was planned for Easter Sunday; April 8 is the newspaper publication date.
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Complete Woodland Methodist Easter notice, including the breakfast, pageant, participants and musical program. Click the image to enlarge. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Duluth Herald, April 8, 1939, page 12
Confirmed — Record
Registration date not shown

Registered for Selective Service while working in Duluth

At age 21, Gogins listed American Steel & Wire at Steelton as his employer. The supplied front of the card gives neither a registration date nor his job at the plant.
Source: Selective Service Registration Card, D.S.S. Form 1 (revised 1 January 1942), serial T-540, order T-10585; family-held front image
Confirmed — Separation record
August 10, 1942

Enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve

His separation notice records the enlistment date but does not state where the enlistment occurred.
Source: Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service (NAVPERS-553), boxes 16; family-held Gogins military-info PDF, page 1
Confirmed — Separation record
December 15, 1942

Entered active service

Reported for active duty at Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Source: Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service (NAVPERS-553), boxes 17 and 19; family-held Gogins military-info PDF, page 1
Confirmed — Record
Dates not stated

Four stages of Navy flight training

His separation notice lists 12 weeks of pre-flight at Iowa City, 12 weeks of primary training at Ottumwa, 12 weeks of flight training at Pensacola, and eight weeks of operational training at Banana River. The form gives no dates or aircraft types, so it does not prove when each course occurred or which patrol aircraft he trained in.
Source: Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service (NAVPERS-553), boxes 23; family-held Gogins military-info PDF, page 1
Confirmed — Record
December 16, 1943 / January 12, 1944

Two official records give different officer dates

The 1 January 1945 squadron roster gives 16 December 1943 as his Ensign date of rank or precedence; the separation notice says he was commissioned 12 January 1944. The July 1944 Naval Reserve Register also gives the December date as his date of precedence. They appear to be different administrative dates, but the surviving records reviewed here do not explain the one-month difference.
Source: VPB-25 Roster of Officers, 1 January 1945, NARA NAID 184414674, image 00068; Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service (NAVPERS-553), boxes 16; family-held Gogins military-info PDF, page 1; Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Naval Reserve, 31 July 1944, PDF page 247, file 346901, https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/USN/Naval_Registers/USNR-1944.pdf#page=247
Context
April 20, 1944

VP-25 commissioned at Harvey Point

The Navy commissioned Patrol Squadron 25 at NAAS Harvey Point, North Carolina. This is squadron history; no record reviewed places Gogins at the commissioning ceremony.
Source: VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, image 00004; Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Second VP-25, pages 160-161, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/dictionary-of-american-naval-aviation-squadrons-volume-2/pdfs/chap3-5.pdf#page=28
Context
June 26 – July 4, 1944

VP-25 trained at Key West

The squadron sent its aircraft to NAS Key West and returned to Harvey Point after navigation and antisubmarine training. This unit movement does not establish that Gogins made the trip.
Source: VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, images 00002, 00005-00006; VP-25 War Diary, June 1944, NARA NAID 78500639, image 00000
Confirmed — Record
July 31, 1944

Listed as an Ensign in the Naval Reserve Register

The register lists 346901, GOGINS F W JR, Ensign, with a date of precedence of 16 December 1943. Its birth year, 1921, and pay-entry base date, 10 August 1942, agree with his separation record. This entry does not identify his squadron or location.
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The register's original column headings and Gogins entry. Cropped from PDF page 247. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Naval Reserve, 31 July 1944, PDF page 247, upper-right table, file 346901; https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/USN/Naval_Registers/USNR-1944.pdf#page=247
Context
August 19–21, 1944

VP-25 moved from Harvey Point to Alameda

Squadron flights left Harvey Point on 19-21 August, staging through Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas, for Alameda. At least one delayed aircraft arrived on 28 August. No reviewed crew list identifies Gogins on this trip.
Source: VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, images 00002, 00006-00007
Context
September 15, 1944

VP-25 departed Alameda for Kaneohe Bay

Fourteen squadron aircraft departed; one returned with an engine discrepancy and thirteen reached Oahu. This is a unit movement. No passenger list or crew manifest reviewed names Gogins on the flight.
Source: VP-25 War Diary, September 1944, NARA NAID 139756942, image 00000; VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, image 00008
Context
October 1, 1944; training continued that month

VP-25 became VPB-25

At Kaneohe, the squadron was redesignated VPB-25 and its PBM-3D Mariners were painted black, completing the unit's Black Diamond identity. NHHC independently records VPB-25's PBM-3D detachment with the seaplane tender Bering Strait at Hilo in October.
Source: VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, images 00003, 00008; USS Bering Strait ship history, Naval History and Heritage Command, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/bering-strait-i.html
Context
November 15–22, 1944

VPB-25 deployed from Hawaii to Leyte Gulf

The squadron staged through Johnston Island, Ebeye, Los Negros, and Woendi before its first aircraft reported to the tender Half Moon in Leyte Gulf. The route on the map is VPB-25's documented route; it is not a personal travel record for Gogins.
Source: VPB-25 War Diary, November 1944, NARA NAID 139780831, image 00000; VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, images 00008-00009; Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Second VP-25, pages 160-161, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/dictionary-of-american-naval-aviation-squadrons-volume-2/pdfs/chap3-5.pdf#page=28
Confirmed — Unit record
December 18, 1944 – February 8, 1945

Distinguished Flying Cross award period

The citation names Gogins personally as an Ensign serving in VPB-25 during operations against Japanese forces in the Pacific War Area, and says he completed his twentieth flight during this period. It does not identify his crew, aircraft, bases, routes, or individual missions.
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The permanent DFC citation names VPB-25 and the award period. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Distinguished Flying Cross permanent citation, file OO-346901; family-held Gogins military-info PDF, page 3
Context
December 29-30, 1944 (sources differ)

VPB-25 moved from Leyte to Mindoro

Ten squadron aircraft flew about 300 miles west from San Pedro Bay to Mangarin Bay without fighter escort, according to the December diary, which dates the move to 29 December. The later squadron history dates it to 30 December. Neither names Gogins among those crews.
Source: VPB-25 War Diary, December 1944, NARA NAID 139815493, image 00000; VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, image 00012
Context
Late December 1944 – early February 1945

VPB-25 flew long China Sea search sectors

Squadron records describe daylight sectors toward French Indo-China, Hainan, and the Paracel Islands. These operations overlap Gogins's DFC period, but no reviewed mission report identifies which sectors or missions he personally flew.
Source: VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, images 00012–00016; VPB-25 War Diary, December 1944, NARA NAID 139815493, image 00000
Confirmed — Unit record
January 1, 1945

Named on VPB-25's Roster of Officers

Line 36 lists 346901 — GOGINS, F. W., Jr. — Ensign — A1. The matching Navy file number ties the roster entry directly to him. This is the strongest surviving personal proof of his squadron assignment on a specific date.
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Roster line 36 gives Gogins's Navy file number, name, rank, date of rank, and A1 designator. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: VPB-25 Roster of Officers, NavPers-353, 1 January 1945, NARA NAID 184414674, image 00068, line 36
Confirmed — Unit record
January 1, 1945

Bombs and Pyrotechnics duty recorded

The roster lists Bombs & Pyrotechnics beside Gogins's line number. It gives no starting date for this duty. The entry '6 mos.' appears in the prospective-qualification column, so it cannot date the start of his assignment.
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Line 36 records his duty. The six-month entry concerns prospective qualification, not time already served. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: VPB-25 Roster of Officers (continuation), 1 January 1945, NARA NAID 184414674, image 00069, line 36; column headings compared with USS Essex Roster of Officers, NavPers-353 (12-43), 22 August 1945, page 1, https://www.navsource.net/archives/02/0209bt.pdf#page=1
Context
February 6-10, 1945

VPB-25 transferred to Jinamoc Island

The February diary dates the squadron's return to Leyte Gulf to 6 February. The later history describes a transfer on 6-9 February and lists the squadron at Jinamoc on 10 February. These accounts describe a move over several days under Fleet Air Wing Ten; neither dates Gogins's own arrival.
Source: VPB-25 War Diary, February 1945, NARA NAID 139920691, image 00000; VPB-25 Squadron War History, NARA NAID 77666886, images 00012, 00016
Confirmed — Separation record
December 22, 1945

Released from active duty — U.S. Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

Released from active duty at U.S. Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade (Lt. j.g.), USNR. The form lists the DFC and Air Medal, American, Pacific, and 'Phillipines' ribbons, and three battle stars; it does not assign the stars to a particular ribbon.
Source: Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service (NAVPERS-553), boxes 3, 5-6, 24, 34 (remarks), and 47; family-held Gogins military-info PDF, page 1
Confirmed — Record
June 19, 1947

Permanent DFC citation forwarded to Gogins

The permanent citation was prepared 16 April 1947, signed 15 May, and sent to Gogins under a Bureau of Naval Personnel letter dated 19 June. The award authority shown on the citation is ComAirPhilSeaFron Serial 2999, dated 27 December 1945. The letter says he had already received the decoration under a temporary citation; it does not date that presentation.
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The 1947 Bureau of Naval Personnel forwarding letter.
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The permanent DFC citation, signed in May 1947. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
Source: Bureau of Naval Personnel letter Pers-10 346901/fb, 19 June 1947, and DFC permanent citation, file OO-346901; family-held Gogins military-info PDF, pages 2-3
Confirmed — Record
July 22, 1948

Listed for his University of Minnesota business degree

The July commencement program lists Franklin William Gogins, Jr., of Minneapolis, among candidates for the Bachelor of Business Administration. A 1949 alumni notice identifies him as '48 BusA, supporting completion in 1948, and reports that he was working for New England Mutual Life Insurance in Duluth by April 1949. The program lists candidates subject to completion of requirements.
Source: University of Minnesota Commencement, 22 July 1948, printed page 10 (PDF page 85; July cover at PDF page 76), https://conservancy.umn.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/1f031a86-f112-492a-9ca8-87667edb8049/content#page=85; Minnesota Alumnus, April 1949, printed page 246 (PDF page 49), class of 1948 notice, https://conservancy.umn.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/16f149c3-c216-4051-a8ae-b8573193ff0a/content#page=49
Confirmed — Record
January 22, 1987

Franklin William Gogins passes away

This timeline is offered in the service member's memory.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File and National Cemetery Administration gravesite record; Fort Snelling transcription, https://www.interment.net/united-states/minnesota/hennepin-county/minneapolis/fort-snelling-national-cemetery/transcription/252.php?page=738
Confirmed — Record
Burial record

Buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery

His grave is in Section U-1, Site 211-A. The cemetery record identifies him as a World War II Navy veteran. His wife, Marian A. Gogins, is recorded at the same site. His headstone gives his rank as 'LT'; his 1945 separation form says lieutenant (junior grade). No reviewed promotion record explains the difference.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration gravesite record; Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service (NAVPERS-553), boxes 3; family-held Gogins military-info PDF, page 1; Fort Snelling transcription, https://www.interment.net/united-states/minnesota/hennepin-county/minneapolis/fort-snelling-national-cemetery/transcription/252.php?page=738; Find a Grave memorial #704863, headstone photograph by James Hogan (photo 119587393), saved page supplied and identity confirmed by the operator, 11 September 2026

From the family collection

Photographs and documents shared by Frank's family. Select any image to see it at full size.

Frank in the Pacific, 1945

The family preserved this photograph as Frank, Pacific, 1945. The exact location is not recorded.

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Frank in khakis at a tropical base. Photograph shared by his family; shown in full.

Open original photograph

A flying boat and an outrigger canoe

A PBY Catalina and an outrigger canoe appear in this photograph from the family collection. Its date, location and the people pictured are not identified.

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The complete photograph supplied by the family as PICT0014.jpg.

Open original photograph

Frank's Selective Service registration card

The card records his Duluth address, birth date, employer and Mrs. Pearl Gogins as his contact, followed by his signature. This is the complete front image supplied by the family; the reverse was not included.

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Selective Service registration card, front. The registration numbers belong to the draft system; his Navy file number is 346901.

Open original card image

His separation record and Distinguished Flying Cross papers

All three pages of the family's military-record PDF appear below: his separation notice, the Navy's covering letter, and the permanent Distinguished Flying Cross citation.

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Page 1 of 3. Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service, signed December 22, 1945. Social Security number redacted for privacy.
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Page 2 of 3. Bureau of Naval Personnel letter forwarding the permanent Distinguished Flying Cross citation, June 19, 1947. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.
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Page 3 of 3. The complete Distinguished Flying Cross citation for his flights from December 18, 1944, through February 8, 1945. The yellow is ours — it marks the relevant name, file number, or line on the sheet.

Open the three-page PDF (SSN redacted)