I have always been fascinated by our military and the battles fought. Since I was a young kid, I have read many stories, but none as harrowing as the USS Indianapolis.

I read probably every book about Vietnam as a kid. I was fascinated with the tunnel rats and helicopter pilots mostly. At the time, they were the bravest men I knew and today I have the privilege of calling two of them my friends. Colonel William Suhre (Tank Commander and Tunnel Rat) and Colonel Stan Cass (Helicopter Pilot)

Funny how things work out sometimes.

USS Indianapolis - Wikipedia
USS Indianapolis - Wikipedia
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With that being said, I have had an interest in World War II as well and the Navy since my Dad was at the tail end of World War II and a graduate of Annapolis, Class of 1946. My Father had every intention of being a career officer but was medically discharged with tuberculosis in 1948. He was quite upset about it and never really got over his dream being crushed like that.

But, I digress.

My Mom's cousin, Kent Stapleton, knows I am avid supporter of our military and he recently sent me a link to an event he recently attended at his church where Edgar Harrell, USMC, told of his harrowing account of being sunk on the USS Indianapolis. I know the story quite well, (actual footage of the survivors being picked up below) but hearing it from someone who lived it was amazing. I went home and watched the whole hour and wanted more. Kent knew this and sent me Edgar's book which I am now reading and will give you my thoughts when done.

If you are not familiar with the story, the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) was a Portland class heavy cruiser and a flagship for the 5th Fleet under Admiral Raymond Spruance of the United States Navy. The sinking of the USS Indianapolis was the greatest disaster in Naval history.

On 30 July 1945, after delivering parts for the first atomic bomb 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; most were killed by 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.

There was a 1991 movie about the event called "Mission of the Shark" starring Stacy Keach and Richard Thomas. Of the 317 survivors, Edgar Harrell was one of them and only one of two Marines that are still alive today to tell the story. "Out of the Depths" is his story...

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