August 04, 2004

USS Indianapolis

I missed posting on the anniversary of this event last week, but I will post it belatedly as it's still relevant.

On June 30, 1945 while returning from Guam (after delivering the parts to the atomic bombs which would later be dropped on Japan), the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese submarine I-58. It took only 12 minutes for the battleship to capsize and sink.

Five days later, a PV-1 Ventura Bomber on routine submarine patrol accidentally spotted the survivors in the water. Up until that time, due to Naval procedures and communication problems, no one knew that the Indianapolis had gone missing.

Of the 1,196 men aboard only about 900 men made it into the water. After five days of constant shark attacks, exposure to the elements, starvation and thirst only 317 survived.

All of those men of the USS Indianapolis are heroes, and I am proud to say that my great-uncle, Maurice Bell, was one of those men. Today he lives in Mobile, Alabama and still attends the survivor's reunions.

He is one of the reasons that the greatest generation is the greatest generation.

Addendum: Back in June, it was reported that the I-58 submarine that sank the Indianapolis had been found near the Marianas Islands.

Update: Pardon my error. Mark from the Conservative Zone comments that the Indianapolis was actually a cruiser. Yes, it was a Portland Class Heavy Cruiser...not a battleship. Here is a good photo archive along with some specs on the Indianapolis.

Comments:

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The Indianapolis was a cruiser, CA35, not a battleship. During WWII, they named aircraft carriers after battles, battleships after states, crusers after cities, light cruisers after small cities and destroyers after people.

Today it's a little more complicated. They name carriers after battles and presidents, ballistic missle submarines after states, attack subs and cruisers after cities and destroyers and frigates after people.

Hope that helps.

Posted by: Mark at August 5, 2004 10:17 AM

Please thank Mr.Bell for his service to our country.

Posted by: Jakester at August 5, 2004 10:19 AM

I saw a gentleman in a store in Hermitage tonight wearing his USS Indianapolis Survivor hat and shirt, and I didn't get a chance to meet him, but would like to. Any idea how to get in touch with him? I am a Navy veteran myself and would like to talk to someone like this. Thanks for your help.

Posted by: LTPaul at October 29, 2004 08:57 PM