The USS Indianapolis - Sunk after delivering the Hiroshima & Nagasaki bombs, July 1945

In late July of 1945, the Japanese Submarine, I-58, sank USS Indianapolis (CA 35), northeast of Leyte.  316 of her crew of 1199 survived. The USS Indianapolis, was on her way on a super secret mission, a high speed transit from California to Tinian Island to deliver atomic bomb parts.  

Tinian Island is part of the Marinas Island chain and was the launching point of both atomic bombs that essentially brought the end of World War II.  Due to the secrecy of the Indianapolis' mission she was operating on strict radio silence, consequently the loss of the Indianapolis went unnoticed until survivors were seen from a passing aircraft on August 2, 1945

I first learned of the Indianapolis and its mission from the movie Jaws.  Mr. Quinn, the shark hunter tells the story one night on the Orca, while hunting for the big shark!  From that I found the book Abandon Ship, a very painful but poignant story about the Indianapolis tragedy. 

Please remember our veterans and their contribution to the wonderful world we live in today.  Where would the World be, without the unselfish commitment of United States of America? And all we have ever asked in return is a simple thanks and a place to bury our dead!