Rear Admiral Leslie E. Gehres was born in Newark, New York, on September 23, 1898, and died on May 15, 1975. A leading U.S. naval hero of World War II, he showed extraordinary heroism as captain of the aircraft carrier USS Franklin. In a battle off the coast of Japan on March 19, 1945, he refused to abandon the severely damaged ship. His outstanding leadership and devotion to duty saved both his ship and the lives of over 1000 sailors.