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Contact Info
Home Town Augusta
Last Address San Diego, CA
Date of Passing Oct 13, 1982
Location of Interment Not Specified
Wall/Plot Coordinates Not Specified
Military Service Number Not Specified
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity His 1st (of 4) Navy Cross Citation reads:
For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a U.S. Submarine during a war patrol in enemy-controlled waters. Despite extremely strong enemy escorts which included air support, he skillfully penetrated the escort screens, and through his daring and aggressive determination, delivered smashing torpedo attacks against enemy shipping. As a result of these well-planned and brilliantly executed attacks, he successfully sank three enemy ships totaling 20,200 tons, and damaged tow additional enemy ships totaling 15,000 tons. Although severely depth-charged and fired upon by escorts, and bombed by aircraft, his skillful and brilliant evasive tactics enabled him to escape and bring his ship to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.
CLASS - PORTLAND
Displacement 9,950 Tons, Dimensions, 610' 3" (oa) x 66' 1" x 24' (Max)
Armament 9 x 8"/55, 8 x 5"/25, 8 x 0.5" 4 Aircraft.
Armor, 5" Belt, 2 1/2 Turrets, 2 1/2" Deck, 1 1/4 Conning Tower.
Machinery, 107,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 32.7 Knots, Crew 621. Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 31 MAR 1930 at New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ
Launched 07 NOV 1931
Commissioned 15 NOV 1932 Fate: Torpedoed and sunk 30 JUL 1945 by Japanese submarine I-58
USS Indianapolis (CL/CA-35) was a Portland-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. She was named for the city of Indianapolis, Indiana.
She was the flagship of Admiral Raymond Spruance while he commanded the Fifth Fleet in battles across the Central Pacific. Her sinking led to the greatest single loss of life at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy. On 30 July 1945, after delivering parts for Little Boy, the first atomic bomb used in combat, to the United States air base at Tinian, the ship was torpedoed by the Imperial Japanese Navy submarine I-58, sinking in 12 minutes. Of 1,196 crewmen aboard, approximately 300 went down with the ship.
The remaining 900 faced exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks while floating with few lifeboats and almost no food or water. The Navy learned of the sinking when survivors were spotted four days later by the crew of a PV-1 Ventura on routine patrol. Only 317 survived.
