This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Gregg Baitinger, BM1
to remember
Blackwell, Fermon Malachi, SSML3c.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Kisatchie, LA
Last Address Kisatchie, LA
Casualty Date Jul 30, 1945
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Torpedoed
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment New Kisatchie Cemetery - Kisatchie, Louisiana
Wall/Plot Coordinates (memorial marker)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed. Of the 1,196 aboard, about 900 made it into the water in the twelve minutes before she sank. Few life rafts were released. Most survivors wore the standard kapok life jacket. Due to her top secret mission, she was not reported missing. Shark attacks began with sunrise of the first day, and continued for five days until the men were finally spotted in the water and rescued. Only 316 men survived.
SSML3 Blackwell was among the men listed as missing in action and later declared dead.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 6455837
Image
Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal - 1943
Name of Award Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal
Devices
none
Year Awarded 1943
Last Updated: Feb 26, 2019
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed