USS Indianapolis (CA-35): Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Infobox ship career

| Hide header =

| Ship country = [[United States]]

| Ship flag = {{USN flag|1945}}

| Ship name = ''Indianapolis''

| Ship namesake = City of [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]

| Ship ordered = 13 February 1929

| Ship awarded = 15 August 1929

| Ship builder = [[New York Shipbuilding Corporation]], [[Camden, New Jersey]]

| Ship original cost = $10,903,200 (contract price)

| Ship laid down = 31 March 1930

| Ship launched = 7 November 1931

| Ship sponsor = [[Lucy M. Taggart]]

| Ship acquired =

| Ship completed =

| Ship commissioned = 15 November 1932

| Ship decommissioned =

| Ship struck =

| Ship identification = *[[Hull classification symbol#Surface combatant type|Hull symbol]]: CL-35

* Hull symbol: CA-35

* [[International Code of Signals|Code letters]]: NABD

* {{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Alpha}}{{ICS|Bravo}}{{ICS|Delta}}

| Ship nickname = "Indy"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.zuzuray.com/nicknames2.html#USA | title=Ship Nicknames | publisher=zuzuray.com | access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref>

| Ship honors = [[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]] [[File:Silver-service-star-3d.png|20px]] 10 × [[Service star#Navy warships|battle stars]]

| Ship fate = Hit by two torpedoes and sunk by {{Ship|Japanese submarine|I-58|1943|6}}, 30 July 1945.

| Ship notes =

| Ship badge =

}}

{{Infobox ship characteristics

| Hide header =

| Header caption = (as built)<ref name="ships">{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rp-jAAAAMAAJ| title=Ships' Data, U. S. Naval Vessels | publisher=US Naval Department | date=1 July 1935 | access-date=13 October 2015 | pages=16–23}}</ref>

| Ship class = {{sclass|Portland|cruiser}}

| Ship type =

| Ship displacement = {{cvt|9950|LT|0|lk=on}} (standard)

| Ship length = * {{cvt|610|ft|3|in}} [[Length overall|loa]]

* {{cvt|584|ft}} [[Waterline length|lwl]]

| Ship beam = {{cvt|66|ft|1|in}}

| Ship draft = * {{cvt|17|ft|4|in}} (mean)

* {{cvt|24|ft}} (max)

| Ship power = * 8 × [[Three-drum boiler#White-Forster boiler|White-Forster boilers]]

* {{cvt|107000|shp|lk=on}}

| Ship propulsion = * 4 × [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] [[Steam turbine#Cruising machinery and gearing|reduction]] [[steam turbine]]s

* 4 × [[Propeller|screws]]

| Ship speed = {{cvt|32.7|kn}}

| Ship range = {{convert|13,000|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on}}

| Ship boats =

| Ship complement = * 95 officers 857 enlisted (as designed)

* 1,269 officers and men (wartime)

* 1,195 crewmen at time of sinking

~~| Ship sensors =~~

| Ship EW sensors =

| Ship EW =

| Ship armament = * 9 × [[8-inch/55-caliber gun|8-inch (203mm)/55-caliber guns]](3x3)

* 8 × [[5-inch/25-caliber gun|5-inch (127mm)/25-caliber]] [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] guns

* 2 × [[QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss|3-pounder {{cvt|47|mm|1}}]] [[Salute#Heavy arms: gun salutes|saluting guns]]

| Ship armor = * '''[[Belt armor|Belt]]:''' {{cvt|3+1/4|-|5|in}}

* '''[[Deck (ship)|Deck]]:''' {{cvt|2+1/2|in}}

* '''[[Barbette]]s:''' {{cvt|1+1/2|in}}

* '''[[Gun turret|Turrets]]:''' {{cvt|1+1/2|-|2+1/2|in}}

* '''[[Conning tower]]:''' {{cvt|1+1/4|in}}

| Ship aircraft = 4 × [[floatplane]]s

| Ship aircraft facilities = 2 × [[Glossary of nautical terms (A-L)#A|Amidship]] [[Aircraft catapult|catapults]]

| Ship notes =

}}

{{Infobox ship characteristics

| Hide header =

| Header caption = (1945)<ref name="history">{{cite web | url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_USS_Indianapolis_CA35.html | title=USS ''Indianapolis'' (CA-35) | publisher=Historyofwar.org | date=19 December 2014 | access-date=13 October 2015 | author=Rickard, J}}</ref>

| Ship armament = * 9 × 8 in (203 mm)/55 caliber guns (3x3)

* 8 × 5 in (127 mm)/25 caliber anti-aircraft guns

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* 6 × quad [[Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun|{{cvt|40|mm|2}} Bofors]] anti-aircraft guns

*19 × single [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|{{cvt|20|mm|2}} Oerlikon]] anti-aircraft cannons

| Ship aircraft = 3 × floatplanes

| Ship aircraft facilities = 1 × Amidship catapults (starboard catapult removed in 1945)

}}

'''USS ''Indianapolis''''' ('''~~CL/~~CA-35''') was a {{sclass|Portland|cruiser|0}} [[heavy cruiser]] of the [[United States Navy]], named for the city of [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]. Launched in 1931, it was the [[flagship]] for the commander of [[Scouting Fleet|Scouting Force 1]] for eight years, then flagship for [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] [[Raymond A. Spruance|Raymond Spruance]] from 1943 to 1945 while he commanded the [[United States Fifth Fleet|Fifth Fleet]] in battles across the [[Pacific War|Central Pacific]] during [[World War II]].

In July 1945, ''Indianapolis'' completed a top-secret high-speed trip to deliver [[uranium]] and other components for "[[Little Boy]]", the first [[nuclear weapon]] ever used in combat, to the [[Tinian Naval Base]], and subsequently departed for the [[Philippines]] on training duty. At 0015 on 30 July, the ship was [[torpedo]]ed by the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] submarine {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-58|1943|2}}, and sank in 12 minutes. Of 1,195 crewmen aboard, approximately 300 went down with the ship.<ref name=NPRNeuman20180323>{{Cite news |last=Neuman |first=Scott |title=Navy Admits To 70-Year Crew List Error In USS ''Indianapolis'' Disaster |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/23/596360408/navy-admits-70-year-crew-list-error-in-uss-indianapolis-disaster|work=NPR.org |date=23 March 2018 |language=en |access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref> The remaining 890 faced [[Hypothermia|exposure]], [[dehydration]], [[Hypernatremia|saltwater poisoning]], and [[shark attack]]s while stranded in the open ocean with few lifeboats and almost no food or water. The Navy only learned of the sinking four days later, when survivors were spotted by the crew of a [[Lockheed Ventura#PV-1 Ventura|PV-1 Ventura]] on routine patrol. A U.S. Navy [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|PBY flying boat]] crew landed to save those in the water. Only 316 survived.<ref name=NPRNeuman20180323 />

Of 1,195 crewmen aboard, approximately 300 went down with the ship,<ref name=NPRNeuman20180323>{{Cite news |last=Neuman |first=Scott |title=Navy Admits To 70-Year Crew List Error In USS ''Indianapolis'' Disaster |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/23/596360408/navy-admits-70-year-crew-list-error-in-uss-indianapolis-disaster|work=NPR.org |date=23 March 2018 |language=en |access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref> and the remaining 890 faced [[Hypothermia|exposure]], [[dehydration]], [[Hypernatremia|saltwater poisoning]], and [[shark attack]]s while stranded in the open ocean with few lifeboats and almost no food or water.

The sinking of ''Indianapolis'' was the greatest loss of life from a single ship lost at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy.{{efn|While the loss of ''Indianapolis'' is the worst-ever loss of life from a single ship ''sinking at sea'' for the ''U.S. Navy'', it is not the worst naval disaster for the U.S. Navy nor the United States military as a whole. Earlier in World War Two, the battleship [[USS Arizona|USS ''Arizona'']] and the troopship [[HMT Rohna|HMT ''Rohna'']] were lost with more American lives, but the ''Arizona'' was in port at [[Pearl Harbor]] when sunk and the Rohna was primarily carrying U.S. Army personnel, not U.S. Navy personnel, when it was sunk at sea. The complement of aircraft carrier [[USS Franklin (CV-13)|USS ''Franklin'']] would also suffer upwards of 900 killed at sea throughout the war, although ''Franklin'' was not sunk. Additionally, the accidental loss of the steamboat [[Sultana (steamboat)|''Sultana'']], which exploded on the Mississippi River while carrying Union soldiers in the immediate aftermath the [[American Civil War]], was the worst ''maritime'' disaster in U.S. history. The 1,700 U.S. military prisoners of war from the Philippines (out of a total of 1,773 Allied troops missing and killed) who died on the sunken Japanese [[hell ship]] ''[[Arisan Maru]]'' from a torpedo launched by the submarine {{USS|Shark|SS-314|6}} was the greatest loss of life from a single ship in U.S. military history.}} On 19 August 2017, a search team financed by [[Microsoft]] co-founder [[Paul Allen]] located the wreckage in the [[Philippine Sea]] lying at a depth of approximately {{cvt|18000|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grinberg |first=Emanuella |title=USS ''Indianapolis'' discovered 18,000 feet below Pacific surface |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/19/us/uss-indianapolis-wreckage-found/index.html |date=20 August 2017 | website=CNN |access-date=24 December 2018}}</ref> On 20 December 2018, the crew of ''Indianapolis'' was collectively awarded a [[Congressional Gold Medal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2101/actions|title=Actions – S.2101 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): USS ''Indianapolis'' Congressional Gold Medal Act|first=Joe|last=Donnelly|date=20 December 2018|website=www.congress.gov}}</ref>▼

▲The Navy only learned of the sinking four days later, when survivors were spotted by the crew of a [[Lockheed Ventura#PV-1 Ventura|PV-1 Ventura]] on routine patrol. A U.S. Navy [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|PBY flying boat]] crew landed to save those in the water. Only 316 survived,<ref name=NPRNeuman20180323 /> and the sinking of ''Indianapolis'' was the greatest loss of ~~life~~Navy personnel from a single Navy ship lost at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy.{{efn|While the loss of ''Indianapolis'' is the worst-ever loss of life from a single ship ''sinking at sea'' for the ''U.S. Navy'', it is not the worst naval disaster for the U.S. Navy nor the United States military as a whole. Earlier in World War Two, the battleship [[USS Arizona|USS ''Arizona'']] and the troopship [[HMT Rohna|HMT ''Rohna'']] were lost with more American lives, but the ''Arizona'' was in port at [[Pearl Harbor]] when sunk and the Rohna was primarily carrying U.S. Army personnel, not U.S. Navy personnel, when it was sunk at sea. The complement of aircraft carrier [[USS Franklin (CV-13)|USS ''Franklin'']] would also suffer upwards of 900 killed at sea throughout the war, although ''Franklin'' was not sunk. Additionally, the accidental loss of the steamboat [[Sultana (steamboat)|''Sultana'']], which exploded on the Mississippi River while carrying Union soldiers in the immediate aftermath the [[American Civil War]], was the worst ''maritime'' disaster in U.S. history. The 1,700 U.S. military prisoners of war from the Philippines (out of a total of 1,773 Allied troops missing and killed) who died on the sunken Japanese [[hell ship]] ''[[Arisan Maru]]'' from a torpedo launched by the submarine {{USS|Shark|SS-314|6}} was the greatest loss of life from a single ship in U.S. military history.}} On 19 August 2017, a search team financed by [[Microsoft]] co-founder [[Paul Allen]] located the wreckage in the [[Philippine Sea]] lying at a depth of approximately {{cvt|18000|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grinberg |first=Emanuella |title=USS ''Indianapolis'' discovered 18,000 feet below Pacific surface |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/19/us/uss-indianapolis-wreckage-found/index.html |date=20 August 2017 | website=CNN |access-date=24 December 2018}}</ref> On 20 December 2018, the crew of ''Indianapolis'' was collectively awarded a [[Congressional Gold Medal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2101/actions|title=Actions – S.2101 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): USS ''Indianapolis'' Congressional Gold Medal Act|first=Joe|last=Donnelly|date=20 December 2018|website=www.congress.gov}}</ref>

On 19 August 2017, a search team financed by [[Microsoft]] co-founder [[Paul Allen]] located the wreckage in the [[Philippine Sea]] lying at a depth of approximately {{cvt|18000|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grinberg |first=Emanuella |title=USS ''Indianapolis'' discovered 18,000 feet below Pacific surface |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/19/us/uss-indianapolis-wreckage-found/index.html |date=20 August 2017 | website=CNN |access-date=24 December 2018}}</ref> On 20 December 2018, the crew of ''Indianapolis'' was collectively awarded a [[Congressional Gold Medal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2101/actions|title=Actions – S.2101 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): USS ''Indianapolis'' Congressional Gold Medal Act|first=Joe|last=Donnelly|date=20 December 2018|website=www.congress.gov}}</ref>

==Construction==

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==World War II==

On 7 December 1941, ''Indianapolis'', leading Task Force 3, (''Indianapolis'' and destroyer-minesweepers {{USS|Dorsey||2}}, {{USS|Elliot||2}}, and {{USS|Lamberton||2}} from MineDiv 6, and {{USS|Southard||2}} and {{USS|Long||2}} from MineDiv 5<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nimitz |first1=Chester |editor1-last=Steele |editor1-first=James S |title=Nimitz Graybook volume 1 |date=1941–1942 |pages=4 |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/anrs/graybook.html |ref=Nimitze Graybook |language=English}}</ref>) was conducting a mock bombardment at [[Johnston Atoll]] during the [[Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor]]. ''Indianapolis'' was absorbed into [[Task Force 12]] and searched for the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] carriers responsible for the attack, though the force did not locate them. She returned to [[Naval Station Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor]] on 13 December and joined [[Task Force 11]].{{sfn|DANFS ''Indianapolis''}}

===New Guinea campaign===

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In January 1943, ''Indianapolis'' supported a landing and occupation on [[Amchitka]], part of an [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[leapfrogging (strategy)|island hopping]] strategy in the Aleutian Islands.{{sfn|DANFS ''Indianapolis''}}

On the evening of 19 February, ''Indianapolis'' led two destroyers on a patrol southwest of [[Attu Island]], searching for Japanese ships trying to reinforce Kiska and Attu. She intercepted the Japanese {{convert|3100|LT|0|adj=on}} [[cargo ship]], ~~{{ship||~~''Akagane Maru~~||2}}~~'' laden with troops, munitions, and supplies. The cargo ship tried to reply to the radio challenge but was shelled by ''Indianapolis''. ''Akagane Maru'' exploded and sank with all hands. Through mid-1943, ''Indianapolis'' remained near the Aleutian Islands, escorting American convoys and providing shore bombardments supporting [[amphibious assault]]s. In May, the Allies captured Attu, then turned on Kiska, thought to be the final Japanese holdout in the Aleutians. Allied landings there began on 15 August, but the Japanese had already abandoned the Aleutian Islands, unbeknownst to the Allies.{{sfn|DANFS ''Indianapolis''}}

After refitting at Mare Island, ''Indianapolis'' moved to Hawaii as flagship of [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice Admiral]] [[Raymond A. Spruance]], commanding the [[United States Fifth Fleet|5th Fleet]]. She sortied from Pearl Harbor on 10 November, with the main body of the [[Southern Attack Force]] for [[Operation Galvanic]], the invasion of the [[Gilbert Islands]]. On 19 November, ''Indianapolis'' bombarded [[Tarawa Atoll]], and next day pounded [[Makin (islands)|Makin]] (see [[Battle of Makin]]). The ship then returned to Tarawa as fire-support for the landings. Her guns shot down an enemy plane and shelled enemy strongpoints as landing parties fought Japanese defenders in the [[Battle of Tarawa]]. She continued this role until the island was secure three days later. The conquest of the [[Marshall Islands]] followed victory in the Gilberts. ''Indianapolis'' was again 5th Fleet flagship.

===1944===

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Immediately after the strikes, the task force raced to the Bonin Islands to support the [[battle of Iwo Jima|landings on Iwo Jima]]. The ship remained there until 1 March, protecting the invasion ships and bombarding targets in support of the landings. ''Indianapolis'' returned to VADM Mitscher's task force in time to strike Tokyo, again on 25 February, and [[Hachijō, Tokyo|Hachijō]], off the southern coast of [[Honshū]], the following day. Although weather was extremely bad, the American force destroyed 158 planes and sank five small ships while pounding ground installations and destroying trains.

The next target for the US forces was [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]], in the [[Ryukyu Islands]], which were in range of aircraft from the Japanese mainland. The fast carrier force was tasked with attacking airfields in southern Japan until they were incapable of launching effective airborne opposition to the impending invasion. The fast carrier force departed for Japan from Ulithi on 14 March. On 18 March, she launched an attack from a position {{cvt|100|mi}} southeast of the island of [[Kyūshū]]. The attack targeted airfields on Kyūshū, as well as ships of the Japanese fleet in the harbors of [[Kobe]] and [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], on southern Honshū. The Japanese located the American task force on 21 March, sending 48 planes to attack the ships. Twenty-four [[Fighter aircraft|fighter]]s from the task force intercepted and shot down all the Japanese aircraft.

''Indianapolis'' was assigned to [[Okinawa naval order of battle#Gunfire and Covering Force (Task Force 54)|Task Force 54]] (TF 54) for the [[Battle of Okinawa|invasion of Okinawa]]. When TF 54 began pre-invasion bombardment of Okinawa on 24 March, ''Indianapolis'' spent 7 days pouring 8-inch shells into the beach defenses. During this time, enemy aircraft repeatedly attacked the American ships. ''Indianapolis'' shot down six planes and damaged two others. On 31 March, the day before the [[Tenth United States Army|Tenth Army]] (combined U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps) started its assault landings, the ''Indianapolis'' lookouts spotted a Japanese [[Nakajima Ki-43]] "Oscar" fighter as it emerged from the morning twilight and dived vertically towards the bridge. The ship's 20 mm guns opened fire, but within 15 seconds the plane was over the ship. Tracers converged on it, causing it to swerve, but the pilot managed to release his bomb from a height of {{cvt|25|ft}}, then crashing his plane into the sea near the [[Port (nautical)|port]] [[stern]]. The bomb plummeted through the deck, into the crew's [[mess hall]], down through the berthing compartment, and through the fuel tanks before crashing through the keel and exploding in the water underneath. The concussion blew two gaping holes in the keel which flooded nearby compartments, killing nine crewmen. The ship's bulkheads prevented any progressive flooding. ''Indianapolis'', settling slightly by the stern and listing to port, steamed to a salvage ship for emergency repairs. Here, inspection revealed that her propeller shafts were damaged, her fuel tanks ruptured, and her water-distilling equipment ruined. ''Indianapolis'' then steamed under her own power to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard for repairs.

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''Indianapolis'' departed San Francisco's [[Hunters Point Naval Shipyard]] on 16 July 1945, within hours of the [[Trinity (nuclear test)|Trinity]] test. She set a speed record of {{frac|74|1|2}} hours<ref name="Lech2000">{{cite book |author=Raymond B. Lech |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oYlkJoGdRnYC |title=The Tragic Fate of the U.S.S. Indianapolis: The U.S. Navy's Worst Disaster at Sea |publisher=Cooper Square Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-1461661290 |pages=6}}</ref> from San Francisco to Pearl Harbor, an average speed of {{cvt|29|kn}}. Arriving at Pearl Harbor on 19 July,<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Remembering ''Indianapolis'' |magazine= All Hands |date= July 1984 |number= 809 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M-f8wXmz90sC |publisher= U.S. Navy, Bureau of Naval Personnel |pages= 34–39}}</ref> she raced on unaccompanied,<ref name="Shaara2012">{{cite book|author=Jeff Shaara|title=The Final Storm: A Novel of the War in the Pacific|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KdzJTdnqXVAC&pg=PA434|year=2012|publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0345497956|pages=434–}}</ref> delivering the atomic bomb components to Tinian on 26 July.<ref name="Chun2013">{{cite book|author=Clayton Chun|title=Japan 1945: From Operation Downfall to Hiroshima and Nagasaki|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=plCICwAAQBAJ&pg=PT106|year= 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1472800206|pages=106–}}</ref>

''Indianapolis'' was then sent to Guam, where a number of the crew who had completed their tours of duty were relieved by other sailors. Leaving Guam on 28 July, she began sailing toward [[Leyte (island)|Leyte]], where her crew was to receive training before continuing on to Okinawa to join Vice Admiral [[Jesse B. Oldendorf]]'s [[Task Force 95]].{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Newcomb |first=Richard |title=Abandon Ship! The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, the Navy's Greatest Sea Disaster |date=2000 |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2000 |isbn=006018471X |location=New York |pages=35 |language=English}}</ref>

==Sinking==

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Captain [[Charles B. McVay III]], who had commanded ''Indianapolis'' since November 1944 through several battles, survived the sinking, though he was one of the last to abandon ship, and was among those rescued days later. In November 1945, he was [[court-martial]]ed on two charges: failing to order his men to abandon ship and hazarding the ship. Cleared of the charge of failing to order abandon ship, McVay was convicted of "hazarding his ship by failing to [[zigzag]]". Several aspects of the court-martial were controversial. There was evidence that the Navy itself had placed the ship in harm's way. McVay's orders were to "zigzag at his discretion, weather permitting"; however, McVay was not informed that a Japanese submarine was operating in the vicinity of his route from Guam to Leyte. Further, Commander Mochitsura Hashimoto, commanding officer of ''I-58'', testified that zigzagging would have made no difference.<ref name="Hashimoto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ussindianapolis.org/hashimoto.htm|title=Mochitsura Hashimoto|work=ussindianapolis.org|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-date=11 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711210117/http://www.ussindianapolis.org/hashimoto.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Fleet admiral (United States)|Fleet Admiral]] [[Chester Nimitz]] remitted McVay's sentence and restored him to active duty. McVay retired in 1949 as a [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]].<ref name="McVay">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ussindianapolis.org/mcvay.htm|title=Captain McVay|work=ussindianapolis.org|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204011556/http://ussindianapolis.org/mcvay.htm|archive-date=4 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

While many of ''Indianapolis''{{'s}} survivors said McVay was not to blame for the sinking, the families of some of the men who died thought otherwise: "Merry Christmas! Our family's holiday would be a lot merrier if you hadn't killed my son", read one piece of mail.<ref name="Suicide">{{Cite web|url=http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0401harmsway.htm|title=Review of ''In Harm's Way''|author=Steven Martinovich|date=16 April 2001|work=enterstageright.com|access-date=4 September 2010|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222633/http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0401harmsway.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The guilt that was placed on his shoulders mounted until he [[Charles B. McVay III#Suicide|~~died~~killed ~~by suicide~~himself]] in 1968., ~~McVay~~aged ~~was discovered on his back patio by his gardener~~70.<ref name="ctmag">{{cite news |last1=Catarevas |first1=Michael |title=Connecticut's Heroes Aboard the Doomed USS ''Indianapolis'' |url=http://www.connecticutmag.com/the-connecticut-story/connecticut-s-heroes-aboard-the-doomed-uss-indianapolis/article_22699165-1487-59b9-af8e-88c1ec791af0.html |access-date=29 June 2018 |work=Connecticut Magazine |date=4 November 2016}}</ref> ~~He was 70 years old.~~

===McVay's record cleared===

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The wreck of ''Indianapolis'' is in the Philippine Sea.<ref>The coordinates given in this article are for the general area</ref> In July–August 2001, an expedition sought to find the wreckage through the use of [[side-scan sonar]] and underwater cameras mounted on a [[remotely operated vehicle]]. Four ''Indianapolis'' survivors accompanied the expedition, which was not successful. In June 2005, a second expedition was mounted to find the wreck. ''[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]]'' covered the story and released it in July. [[Submersible]]s were launched to find any sign of wreckage, although they only located pieces of metal that were not proven conclusively to be from the ship.

In July 2016, new information ~~came out~~emerged regarding the possible location of ''Indianapolis'' when naval records were discovered indicating that the Tank Landing Ship {{USS|LST-779||2}} recorded passing by ''Indianapolis'' 11 hours before the torpedoes struck. This information allowed researchers to determine that ''Indianapolis'' had been moving faster and was therefore farther west than previously assumed, as well as slightly off the route taken. Using this information, ''National Geographic'' planned to mount an expedition to search for the wreck in the summer of 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2016/07/27/new-lead-uncovered-search-uss-indianapolis |title=New Lead Uncovered in Search for USS ''Indianapolis''|date=27 July 2016 }}</ref> Reports estimated that ''Indianapolis'' was actually {{convert|25|mi}} west of the reported sinking position, in water over {{convert|3|mi|m|spell=in}} deep, and likely on the side of an underwater mountain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/details-final-resting-place-uss-indianapolis-103040/ |title=New Details On Final Resting Place Of USS ''Indianapolis'' |publisher= Indiana Public Media |access-date=28 October 2016 |archive-date=28 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028151731/http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/details-final-resting-place-uss-indianapolis-103040/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A year after the discovery of the records, the wreck was located by [[Paul Allen]]'s "USS ''Indianapolis'' Project" aboard the research vessel {{Ship|RV|Petrel||2}}{{hsp}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/19/us/uss-indianapolis-wreckage-found/index.html|title=USS ''Indianapolis'' discovered 18,000 feet below Pacific surface|website=CNN|access-date=19 August 2017|language=en|date=19 August 2017}}</ref> on 19 August 2017, at a depth of {{cvt|5500|m|ft|order=flip}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wreckage of USS ''Indianapolis'' found in Philippine Sea|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/08/19/wreckage-uss-indianapolis-found-philippine-sea/583124001/|website=Indianapolis Star|access-date=19 August 2017|language=en|date=19 August 2017}}</ref> The wreck was revealed to the public on 13 September 2017, in a live TV show on PBS titled "USS ''Indianapolis'', Live from the Deep", starring [[Miles O'Brien (journalist)|Miles O'Brien]] and also including now-retired Captain William Toti.<ref>{{Citation|last=|first=|title=USS Indianapolis Live – from the Deep|url=https://www.pbs.org/show/uss-indianapolis/|volume=|pages=|language=en|access-date=2021-02-10}}</ref> The wreck is well-preserved due to the great depth at which ''Indianapolis'' rests, among the rocky mountain ranges of the North Philippine Sea.<ref>{{cite news |last=Werner |first=Ben |date=August 23, 2017 |title=Navy: USS ''Indianapolis'' Wreckage Well Preserved by Depth and Undersea Environment |url=https://news.usni.org/2017/08/23/navy-uss-indianapolis-wreckage-well-preserved-depth-undersea-environment |work=USNI News|access-date=August 28, 2017}}</ref>

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==Reunions==

Since 1960, surviving crew members ~~have been meeting~~met for reunions in Indianapolis. Fourteen of the thirty-two remaining survivors attended the 70th reunion, held 23–26 July 2015~~. The reunions are open to anyone interested, and have more attendees each year, even as death leaves fewer survivors~~. Held only sporadically at first, then biannually, the reunions were later held annually. ~~Every year, the survivors, by~~By 2015 most of ~~them~~the survivors were in their nineties, ~~vote~~voted every year whether to continue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warship's Last Survivors Recall Sinking in Shark-Infested Waters |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150727-uss-indianapolis-reunion-survivors-sharks-jaws |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729030319/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150727-uss-indianapolis-reunion-survivors-sharks-jaws/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2015 |website= National Geographic News |first=Glenn |last=Hodges |publisher=National Geographic |date=27 July 2015 |access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=USS ''Indianapolis'' Survivors Reunion |url=http://ussindyreunion.com/ |website=ussindyreunion.com |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-date=7 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807123035/http://ussindyreunion.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/07/26/hundreds-mark-th-anniversary-uss-indianapolis-attack/30709975/ |title=Hundreds mark 70th anniversary of USS ''Indianapolis'' attack |date=26 July 2015 }}</ref> Seven out of twenty remaining survivors attended the 2017 reunion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Beilue: For the dwindling few, the USS ''Indianapolis'' reunion is too meaningful to ignore |url=http://amarillo.com/local-news/news/2017-08-04/beilue-dwindling-few-uss-indianpolis-reunion-too-meaningful-ignore |access-date=August 4, 2017 |publisher=[[Amarillo Globe-News]]}}</ref> With the death of Cleatus Lebow on 29 September 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |title=War Memorial: Services for Cleatus Lebow, USS Indy survivor, to be held Sunday |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/war-memorial-services-cleatus-lebow-200802464.html |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=www.yahoo.com |date=6 October 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> there is only one crew member still alive, Harold Bray.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-30 |title=Benician Harold Bray is last living USS Indianapolis survivor |url=https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2022/09/29/benician-harold-bray-is-last-living-uss-indianapolis-survivor |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=[[The Vacaville Reporter]]}}</ref>

==Memorials==

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===Further reading===

* {{cite book |ref= none |last= Croft |first= Sebastian |date= 2024 | url= https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/flm.2024.a933221 |title= Bomb Voyage: The USS Indianapolis Disaster in American Cinema, National Memory, and Jaws (1975) |author-link= |publisher= Film & History: An Interdisciplinary Journal 54, no.1: 35-51 | ISSN= 15489922 }}

* {{cite book |ref= none |last= Fahey |first= James C. |date= 1941 |title= The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, Two-Ocean Fleet Edition |author-link= James Charles Fahey|publisher= Ships and Aircraft}}

* {{cite book |ref= none |last= Harrell |first= David |date= 2005 |title= Out of the Depths |author-link= |others= As told by Edgar Harrell |publisher= Out of the Depths |isbn= 1597811661}}