Uss Indianapolis

Discussion in 'History & Geography' started by Gary Ridenour, Jul 30, 2017.

  1. Gary Ridenour

    Gary Ridenour Veteran Member
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    [​IMG]

    remembering the USS Indianapolis and the men who died on her 72 years ago today

     
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  2. Tim Burr

    Tim Burr Veteran Member
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    Thank You for posting this.

    I took some time this morning to reread the eyewitness accounts from
    the survivors.

    Dr. Lewis Haynes accounts hit a special cord with me.

    "The plane dropped life jackets with canisters of water but the canisters ruptured.
    Then a PBY [seaplane] showed up and dropped rubber life rafts.
    We put the sickest people aboard and the others hung around the side.
    I found a flask of water with a 1-ounce cup.
    I doled out the water, passing the cup down hand to hand.
    Not one man cheated and I know how thirsty they were."

    http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/indianapolis.htm

    No matter what was going on around them, they were still Ship Mates. Looking out for each other.

    Growing up in a Navy family, I knew about this and other tragedies since I was very young.
    USS Thresher - USS Scorpion

    May they all Rest in Peace.
     
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  3. Gary Ridenour

    Gary Ridenour Veteran Member
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  4. Gary Ridenour

    Gary Ridenour Veteran Member
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    there's more

    [​IMG]

    the CO, Charles McVay III of the Indy was later court martialed for the disaster. He was found guilty on the first charge of not zigzagging, but was also brought in for not ordering abandon ship soon enough. But was soon found innocent on the second charge. Even though the court had brought in two experienced submariners (One being the one who torpedoed him) who were both on his side, he was still declared guilty for not zigzagging. And even though he wasn't found guilty on the abandon ship charge, he was still labeled as a felon.
    in Nov 1968 he he committed suicide with a gun. the Indy had claimed its last victim. but the survivors continued the fight to clear his name. and did so in 2000 as then President Bill Clinton on the advice of the Navy dept signed the document clearing his name.
     
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  5. Gary Ridenour

    Gary Ridenour Veteran Member
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    #5
    Chrissy Cross and Sheldon Scott like this.
  6. Gary Ridenour

    Gary Ridenour Veteran Member
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  7. Gary Ridenour

    Gary Ridenour Veteran Member
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  8. Jeff Tracy

    Jeff Tracy Veteran Member
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    INDY 500 WRECK LIVE
    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Gary Ridenour

    Gary Ridenour Veteran Member
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    did 800 men die in this??
     
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  10. Jeff Tracy

    Jeff Tracy Veteran Member
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    Of course not, my observation was based entirely on a play of words based on humour with no intention of disrespect. In fact 73 individuals have been killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 42 drivers, one motorcyclist, 13 riding mechanics, and 17 others including a pit crew member, track personnel, and spectators. All fatalities are related to Championship Car races. Forgive my Celtic sense of humour.
     
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