Valley to honor USS Indianapolis crew

They delivered the first atomic bomb, and it seemed like their work was done. World War II was winding down. But a Japanese sub sank their USS Indianapolis in the shark-infested waters between Guam and Leyte. Nearly 900 members of the Indianapolis crew lost their lives, but the story isn’t only a tragedy. Over 300 survived up to five days in the water, battling the sharks, battling dehydration, exposure.

Survivors and their rescuers will be in the Valley next week to recount their experiences. Fishburne Military School is honoring the men with a special ceremony on Tuesday, March 31, at 1:30 p.m. at Anderson Field. Local members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion have been invited to attend. The event is also open to the general public.

The night of Tuesday, March 31, the USS Indianapolis group will take part in the first of two events titled Remembering the USS Indianapolis at the Plecker Workforce Center at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave. The 7 p.m. event and the 10 a.m. event on Wednesday, April 1, includes a multimedia presentation and a question-and-answer session with the group.

Those events are also open to the general public.

 

- Story by Chris Graham

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