The force sailed from Ulithi on 14 March to pound airfields and other military installations on Kyūshū on 18 March, and again the next day. The Japanese struck back at dawn on the 19th, with an air raid which set the aircraft carrier USS "Franklin" ablaze, her decks utter chaos and power lost. "Pittsburgh" dashed to the rescue at . After saving 34 men from the water, "Pittsburgh", with the light cruiser , performed an outstanding feat of seamanship in getting a tow line on board the flaming carrier. "Pittsburgh" then began the agonizingly slow task of pulling the carrier to safety, as the flattop's crew struggled to restore power. Twice gunning off enemy air attacks attempting to finish "Franklin", the cruiser continued her effort until noon, on 20 March when "Franklin" was able to cast off the tow and proceed, albeit slowly, under her own power. Capt. Gingrich had remained at the conn for 48 hours during the situation.