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SURFACE WARFARE FALL 2020
History and Heritage USS Indianapolis: Supreme Success and Sacrifice By Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
The last major U.S. Navy ship sunk in WWII, the cruiser delivered the final blow that ended the war. 75 years later, they’ve left a legacy of a free and open IndoPacific. After earning ten battle stars for heroics over four years of war, the U.S. Navy cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA 35) had just successfully delivered the bomb parts that would finally bring to a close WWII. Days later, on July 30, 1945, and barely a month from the end of the war, she was sunk by an enemy submarine returning from her top secret mission. More than 880 of the ship’s 1,196 Sailors and Marines went into the water.
After more than four days of exposure, drowning, and shark attacks, only 316 survived. On behalf of all Sailors, past and present, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the service and sacrifice of the crew of USS Indianapolis," Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday said during a video address honoring the ship's crew. "During our nation's darkest hour, they dared everything and went into harm's way again and again. We will always remember their valor in battle and the role they played in ending the most devastating war in history. Today eight crew members remain. The youngest are 93 years old. While the ship’s final act has made her the subject of enduring public interest, it was her remarkable success in battle that made her and her crew legends.
