Indianapolis

by Lynn Vincent

  Suzuki’s cabinet divided three ways on surrender: According to the Pacific War Research Society, “Six members favored acceptance of the Proclamation provided only that the Imperial House be guaranteed, three insisted on the four condition General Anami had outlined [That the Imperial Sovereignty remain untouched; Japan would be allowed a minimal occupation force; Japan, rather than the enemy, would try its own war criminals; and the demobilization of Japanese troops would be done by Japanese officers, not the Allies], while five advocated more conditions than one but fewer then the war-party’s four.” LONGEST, 32.

  annihilation of the Japanese people: LONGEST, 34.

  “That is unbearable for me”: LONGEST, 34.

  “The time has come to bear the unbearable”: Ibid.

  Chapter 3

  Lockwood convened the Nimitz-ordered court: “Record of Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry Convened at Headquarters, Commander Marianas, Guam, by Order of Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas,” 13 August 1945. Holdings of Naval History and Heritage Command, obtained by the authors on 24 October 2017. (COI.)

  There would be forty-three witnesses: COI, Index.

  to make himself an interested party: COI, McVay testimony, 2.

  the Navy would try to hang the sinking around his neck: Kurzman, Dan. Fatal Voyage. New York: Atheneum, 1990. Print. 188. (FATAL.)

  McVay replied, “No, sir”: COI, McVay testimony, 5.

  “I wish to call attention to the interval of time”: Ibid.

  The weather was “excellent”: COI, Corry testimony, 8.

  Naquin took his seat in the witness chair: COI, Naquin testimony, 12.

  “My records indicate we had reports”: Ibid., 13.

  Naquin had been addressed on all message traffic: From Officer in Charge to Commander Marianas. Subject: Radio Transmissions 28 and 29 July 1945 Concerning Enemy Submarines. 28 November 1945. Indiana Historical Society. USS Indianapolis Collection.

  “practically negligible,” Naquin said: COI, Naquin testimony, 13.

  Jane snatched up the phone: The account of Jane Henry learning that her husband, Dr. Earl O. Henry, Sr., was missing, is based on author interviews with Earl O. Henry, Jr., conducted 2015–16.

  Mary O’Donnell had anxiously waited: LEGACY interview with Mary O’Donnell.

  Emery did not intend to sit still: Letter from Herb Armitage to Bill Delman seeking information on behalf of Commander John Emery regarding his son, William Friend Emery. 22 August 1945. Armitage’s letter quotes Emery’s letter to him: “I would like to ask a difficult favor. My son Bill . . . was on the Indianapolis and is reported missing . . . I would appreciate it more than I can express if you could talk to any of the survivors and find out if they know or saw anything of Bill.” Delman himself wrote to Commander Emery on 24 August after speaking with the quartermaster, Vincent Allard, who served with Bill in the same division: “Allard remembered Bill very well . . . ,” Delman wrote. “He last saw Bill, after the explosions had occurred, standing on the bridge in a life jacket” with several other men. Allard left the bridge and when he returned, “none of the survivors saw Bill’s group again.”

  peaceful end to the war: LONGEST, 82.

  burst into uncontrollable sobs: LONGEST, 83.

  voice of the Crane: During the night of August 14, the emperor recorded the rescript for radio broadcast the next day. Realizing it would destroy any chance of continuing the war, a cadre of military officers took control of the imperial palace and imprisoned the emperor. Determined not to allow Hirohito’s message to reach the airwaves, the coup leaders killed two men in enacting their plan. But a brave chamberlain loyal to the emperor hid Hirohito’s recording and would not reveal its location even when threatened with disembowelment by samurai sword. In Yokohama, another rebel faction intended to kill Prime Minister Suzuki, but he escaped, having been tipped off by a friend. Rebels carried out assassination attempts against other cabinet members that night, but none succeeded. Rebels also failed in an attempt to broadcast their own prowar message from the national broadcast center. By 8 a.m. on August 14, all efforts to stop Hirohito’s broadcast had failed. Meanwhile, a man loyal to the emperor smuggled Hirohito’s recording out of the palace and took it to the radio station, where it was broadcast to millions of Japanese who had waited anxiously to hear their emperor, the Voice of the Crane. Sources: LONGEST, 326–27. JAPAN’S WAR, 410. RACING THE ENEMY, 246.

  Under questioning, Gillette did not mention: COI, Gillette testimony, 113.

  “The HARRIS (DE-447) was ordered to the scene”: War Diary, Philippine Sea Frontier, 1–31 July 1945, National Archives, accessed online at Fold3.com, July 15, 2016.

  the failure of Lieutenant Stuart Gibson: COI, Gibson testimony, 13–16.

  Sancho, told the court he did not know Indianapolis had not arrived: COI, Sancho testimony, 37.

  Granum blamed this on 10CL-45: COI, 42.

  Carter told the court that both McCormick and Leyte: COI, Carter testimony, 98.

  Chapter 4

  Ugaki learned for the first time: Ugaki, Matome, Donald M. Goldstein, and Katherine V. Dillon. Fading Victory: The Diary of Admiral Matome Ugaki, 1941–1945. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute, 2008, 663. (UGAKI.) In his 15 August 1945, journal entry, Ugaki wrote, “There were various causes for today’s tragedy, and I feel that my own responsibility was not light. But, more fundamentally, it was due to the great difference in national resources between both countries.”

  he headed for Oita airfield: Ibid., 665. The account of Ugaki’s activities at Oita and his departure is based on an epilogue written by Goldstein and Dillon, editors of Ugaki’s war diary.

  Hashimoto was standing on the bridge of his submarine: SUNK, 234.

  Johnson was livid: Johnson, Malcolm. “Full Sinking Story Isn’t out Yet, Reporter Says: Correspondent Hits Calling of Jap in McVay’s Trial, Cites Lack of Search for Cruiser.” Pittsburgh Press, December 29, 1945.

  the court issued a document titled “Finding of Facts”: COI. “Finding of Facts.” These pages are unnumbered in the copy of the court of inquiry proceedings obtained by the authors.

  assembled in four groups of varying sizes: These early findings did not reflect the true composition and footprint of the survivor groups.

  Chapter 5

  he was fairly sure his career was over: FATAL. 201.

  his defiant tone had vanished: North American Newspaper Alliance. “Cruiser’s Sinking Laid to Submarine,” New York Times, September 18, 1945.

  Now Purnell told reporters: Ibid. Purnell and McVay were interviewed on the same day, apparently by the same reporter(s). McVay mentions Purnell as having a more accurate view of events than McVay himself. This, along with McVay’s about-face—from indignation in his first press interview in Peleliu and defending himself at the court of inquiry to abject humility in this Times interview—raises a question: Was McVay ordered to moderate his public attitude?

  The ship was not up to snuff: Subsequent investigation would show that McVay and his officers “were acquiring a satisfactory state of readiness . . . and [the ship] was approaching top condition as quickly as the ship’s officers could retrain.” Naval Inspector General to Chief of Naval Operations. “Subject: Your Memorandum 10 November 1945 as to the status of my supplementary investigation into the sinking of the Indianapolis.” 10 November 1945.

  King fired off an acerbic five-page memo: King, Fleet Admiral Ernest, Memorandum to James Forrestal. Indiana Historical Society. USS Indianapolis Collection.

  McVay wrote to Lieutenant Commander John Emery: McVay III, Captain Charles B, letter to Commander John Emery. 29 September 1945. Courtesy of Michael Emery.

  manage the onslaught of mail: LEGACY: Buckett interviews. 317, 82.

  Anne adored her father, idolized him: Paul Everts, grandson of Commander Joseph Flynn and Flynn’s wife, Anna. Anne, who adored her father, is Mr. Everts’s aunt. The authors interviewed Paul about the effects of the sinking of Indianapolis on the Flyn
n family.

  the yeoman agreed, traveling to multiple states: 317, 82.

  presented himself in McVay’s temporary office: FATAL, 212–13. LEGACY, Blum interview.

  McVay had asked to see her: MARU, 162.

  Mary’s mother had abandoned her: Interview with Teresa Goldston Brown, granddaughter of Lieutenant Commander Kasey Moore. Teresa is the daughter of Mary, who was abandoned by her mother and, after Moore died, left with Katherine Moore. Interviewed by Lynn Vincent, February 2017.

  I lost a $40 million ship: MARU, 162.

  Chapter 6

  Snyder was no lawyer: “ADM Charles Phillip Snyder.” Accessed online December 13, 2016. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49319414.

  supplemental investigation of the sinking: CONEY. This lengthy record documents the proceeding that would come to be called the “supplemental investigation” conducted by Commodore Thomas Van Metre and Captain Charles Coney.

  a veteran of much tougher duty than this: USS Nashville, War Diary, 1 December 1944–31 December 1944. Captain C. E. Coney.

  “We knew there were at least four Japanese submarines”: CONEY, Smedburg testimony, 2.

  “I-58 is apparently the one which was closest”: Ibid.

  received fragmentary distress signals: Commanding Officer, USCGS Bibb to Naval Inspector General. “Distress message connection loss of USS Indianapolis; report on.” 9 January 1946. Indiana Historical Society. USS Indianapolis collection. Also: Commander Clark Withers, USNR to Naval Inspector General. “Distress message received by USS Commander Clark Withers, USNR to Naval Inspector General. Distress message received by USS Hyperion from the USS Indianapolis.” January 20, 1946. Indiana Historical Society. USS Indianapolis collection. For a fuller explanation of SOS signals reportedly received ashore, see 556–58.

  recommended that McVay’s court-martial be delayed: ADS, 178.

  Admiral King concurred: King, Ernest, Memorandum to James Forrestal. “Subject: Court of Inquiry.” 9 November 1945.

  Snyder received a memo from Van Metre: Van Metre, T. E., Memorandum to Naval Inspector General. No subject. Begins: “With reference to the memorandum . . .” 10 November 1945.

  “necessary to call as witnesses”: Ibid.

  Snyder wrote immediately to King: Naval Inspector General to Chief of Naval Operations. “Subject: Your Memorandum 10 November 1945 as to the status of my supplementary investigation into the sinking of the Indianapolis.” 10 November 1945.

  Snyder ticked off examples: Ibid.

  how I-58’s intercepted message was tracked: Van Metre, T. E., to Admiral Snyder. “Progress Report of Indianapolis Case.” 2 November 1945.

  Nimitz’s intelligence staff had the information: Ibid.

  reached the offices of Admiral King: Ibid.

  including some of considerable seniority: Ibid.

  created a chart in pencil: “Witnesses.” This chart of witnesses, held in the courts of inquiry folder at the National Archives, is handwritten in pencil. Courts of Inquiry, 18 May 1932 to June 1953. Folder 290–96. Box 35. Entry A1-22.

  Comment on the feasibility: Emphasis King’s. ADS, 179.

  Chapter 7

  “entirely feasible to do so”: ADS, 179.

  belonged to the “same small club”: Lieutenant Commander Thomas Buell’s definitive biography of Admiral Spruance, The Quiet Warrior, points out the “close, intimate community with common interests and enduring friendships” of naval officers in the early twentieth century. Unlike today, these officers were nearly all Naval Academy alumni. It was Buell who termed their relationship “the same small club.” QUIET, 61.

  “intimate community with common interests”: Ibid.

  “Naval Aviator No. 22”: Reynolds, Clark. The Fast Carriers: The Forging of an Air Navy. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 2013. (Digital), 33.

  honored Nimitz with a ticker-tape parade: “Millions Turn Out to Cheer Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz for NYC Ticker-Tape Parade.” Naval History Blog. October 8, 2014.

  “Something ought to be done”: Cunningham, Bill. “Letter to GI Joe and GI Jane.” Abilene Reporter-News, November 10, 1945. Accessed online May 1, 2017, at Newspapers.com. (B BAG.)

  a shipment of five thousand cases of whiskey: Perret, Geoffrey. There’s a War to Be Won: The United States Army in World War II. New York: Ballantine Books, 1991.

  “a piece of major Navy criminal negligence”: B BAG.

  “Those agonizing hours my child suffered”: Ibid.

  “get rid of this sensationalism”: FATAL, 216.

  THE SECRETARY DIRECTS THAT GENERAL COURT MARTIAL: ADS, 180.

  Chapter 8

  rescued a woman pinned beneath: Hammer, Joshua. “The Great Japan Earthquake of 1923.” Accessed May 30, 2017, at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-great-japan-earthquake-of-1923-1764539.

  Colclough, was busy weighing: The account of Colclough weighing various charges against McVay is based on ADS, 182–84.

  John Parmelee Cady, a Navy captain: “John Parmelee Cady.” The Lucky Bag: The Annual of the Regiment of Midshipmen. Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Academy, 1922, 216.

  hanging his head out a porthole: Ibid.

  General Snyder boiled it all down: The litany of blame detailed by Snyder on pp. 439–41 is based on: Naval Inspector General to Chief of Naval Operations. “Report of progress on further investigation of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the delay in reporting the loss of that ship.” Signed C. P. Snyder. 30 November 1945.

  Seated with Ryan was Lieutenant Carl Bauersfeld: COURT MARTIAL, 1.

  McVay had been shocked to learn: CONEY. McVay testimony, 306.

  appalled to hear that Commander Janney: Ibid.

  It embarrassed McVay to still be walking: “Personal Narrative by Captain Charles B. McVay III, USN, Sinking of USS Indianapolis.” Recorded 27 September 1945. Command File World War II. Indiana Historical Society. 16.

  “Negligence” implied knowledge: The account of Ryan’s and Cady’s opening day arguments is based on COURT MARTIAL, 1–2.

  Chapter 9

  his first witness Lieutenant Joseph J. Waldron: Here begins the court-martial testimony, which is rendered mainly as excerpts and occasionally as dialogue. Witness testimony may be found in the court-martial transcript at the following locations: Waldron, 5–17; Blum, 162–64; McKissick, 30–43; Moran, 94–99; Haynes, 64–70; Jurkiewicz, 125–33; Woolston, 84–93; Hashimoto, 263–76, Reid, 100–105; King, 307–9; Rogers, 120–21; Twible, 324–26; Harrison, 146–51; Naquin, 329–31; Horner, 157–58; Donaho, 334–44.

  Naquin had been dodging and weaving: Naquin’s testimony in the supplemental investigation is found at CONEY, 488–508.

  Chapter 12

  The Navy had called Hashimoto: Associated Press. “Bring Jap Officer to Trial to Testify in Court Martial.” Palladium-Item, Richmond, Indiana, December 10, 1945. Newspapers.com.

  Hashimoto heard Smith tell reporters: Associated Press. “Jap Witness to Testify.” Ithaca Journal, December 10, 1945. Newspapers.com image of original.

  United Press elaborated: United Press. “Hashimoto Called to McVay Trial.” Hartford Courant, December 9, 1945.

  Navy brass used the press to push back: “May rule out Jap’s testimony at trial,” Honolulu Star Advertiser, December 12, 1945. Newspapers.com image of original.

  “was beginning to sag in reader appeal”: AS, 215.

  Inside, a war was under way: The arguments for and against Hashimoto’s being allowed to testify are found in the court-martial transcript, 256–62.

  ferocious as a chocolate milkshake: Edson, Arthur. “ ‘Ferocious as a Milk Shake,’ Is Description of Hashimoto,” Associated Press, December 14, 1945. Newspapers.com image of original. (MILKSHAKE.)

  taking a seat in the witness chair: The voir dire of Hashimoto. COURT MARTIAL, 263.

  On the chart, he traced a line: The chart Hashimoto drew is one of the exhibits appended to the court-martial transcript. The exhibit number is obscured.

&nb
sp; That’s not what I said, exactly: Interview with Atsuko Iida, Hashimoto’s granddaughter, by Sara Vladic. Atsuko Iida, granddaughter of Hashimoto. LEGACY interview. ALSO: AS, 227.

  met with Ryan and Cady: FATAL, 241.

  “I gotta take this monkey back”: MILKSHAKE.

  Chapter 13

  When the defense began: See note for p. 346 for reference to court-martial witnesses’ testimony.

  “We assumed there were submarines in that area”: CONEY. Gillette testimony, 548.

  Frontier received ULTRA intel on enemy contacts “continuously.” CONEY, 530. Gillette testimony.

  “to meet this recognized threat”: Ibid., 553.

  “technically,” the ship was still in his area: CONEY. Murray testimony, 564.

  McVay’s lack of information was his own fault: Ibid., 573.

  “feel it should have been necessary”: CONEY. McMorris testimony, 608. McMorris, the most senior admiral to testify during the supplemental investigation, did not do so until 28 December 1945, more than a week after McVay’s court-martial had concluded.

  Chapter 14

  See note on p. 346 for reference to Glynn Donaho’s testimony. COURT MARTIAL, 334–44.

  Chapter 15

  Bower immediately sat down at his typewriter: Sinking of Indianapolis and Survivor Statements. Record Group 24, Box 1, National Archive, College Park Maryland.

  “as plenty of other Navy mothers must be”: Ibid.

  written to two senators: Ibid.

  “blot on the Navy that will never be erased”: Ibid.

  Washington had scotched his story: Johnson, Malcolm. “Full Sinking Story Isn’t Out Yet, Reporter Says: Correspondent Hits Calling of Jap in McVay’s Trial, Cites Lack of Search for Cruiser.” Pittsburgh Press, 29 December 1945.