Indianapolis
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go on to win a Pulitzer Prize: Johnson would go on to write a series of investigative stories for the New York Sun about New York City dock workers and their strong-arm bosses. His series formed the basis for director Elia Kazan’s 1954 film, On the Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando.
four other officers received letters of reprimand: ADS, 203.
McVay was awarded the Bronze Star Medal: Special to the New York Times, “Capt. McVay Wins Bronze Star for Valor on the Indianapolis in Battle before Loss.” New York Times, April 27, 1946.
July 1960
dread filled his heart: Averitt, Jack. “Weeps at Reception: USS Indianapolis Captain “dreaded” Survivor Reunion.” Indianapolis News, 30 July 1960. (WEEPS.)
“extend to you a very special invitation”: DEPTHS, 202.
still received on a regular basis: AS, 185–87. IHW, 267.
“do not reserve more than fifteen minutes”: DEPTHS, 202–3.
comparatively tame world of insurance: WEEPS.
“degrees” of honesty: Ibid.
crew of Indianapolis snapped to attention: Thelen LEGACY interview.
Tears welled in McVay’s eyes: WEEPS.
“Let’s have it say ‘Captain’ ”: LaFollette, Gerry. “Tragedy Still Hurts—after 15 Years.” Indianapolis Times, July 30, 1960. This article includes a photo with the caption, “ ‘Captain’ McVay today,” in which McVay is asking to have his nametag changed to read “Captain.”
A press room was set up in the Severin: Press, Radio and Television Activities Schedule, 30 July–31 July 1960. Naval Reserve Public Relations Company 9-1, U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.
McVay sat for a press conference: Ibid.
whisked off to a formal tea: “USS Indianapolis’ Wives Tour Butler, Enjoy Tea,” Indianapolis Times, 31 July 1960.
gathered on the rooftop of the Severin: Alice May Horvath LEGACY interview.
Don Howison looked forward: Howison LEGACY interview.
their welcome was a bit lackluster: DEPTHS.
“all we’ve done is lose a ship”: Woolston LEGACY interviews.
mourned his childhood friend Harry Linville: Sam Lopez LEGACY interview.
a pair of cold beers: Erwin and Umenhoffer LEGACY interviews.
“I have returned!”: Jarvis LEGACY interview.
wrapped his father in a crushing hug: Thelen LEGACY interview.
whipped up twenty pies at a time: Maldonado LEGACY interview.
Clarence Hershberger, turned to drinking: Hershberger LEGACY interview.
a Japanese woman from Sasebo: James Belcher, Sr., LEGACY interview.
the shame of things he’d done in the water: Louis Campbell LEGACY interview.
the hardest part of being at the reunion: The accounts of Outland at the reunion, the first time he shared about the sinking with his wife, Viola, and the Outlands’ trip to find Giles McCoy, are based on Felton Outland, Sr., LEGACY interview, as well as interviews with Viola, and two of Outland’s children, Felton, Jr., and Teresa.
JoAnne, had a gift for rallying troops: Dick Thelen LEGACY interviews.
he slept without the recurring nightmares: Horvath LEGACY interviews.
Outland stood up and walked out: Viola Outland, wife of survivor Felton Outland, and Felton’s son and daughter, Felton, Jr., and Teresa, interviewed by Lynn Vincent on January 24, 2016.
sending him forward on waves of applause: LaFollette, Gerry. “USS Indianapolis Crew Relives War Tragedy.” Indianapolis Times, July 31, 1960.
as if he were still their commanding officer: Ibid.
“a feeling of humility and respect”: “Address by RADM Charles B. McVay.” Presented at the first USS Indianapolis Survivors Memorial Reunion, 30 July 1960. Reunion material provided to the authors by the family of survivor Felton Outland, Sr.
McCall hadn’t wanted to come to the reunion: McCall LEGACY interviews.
BOOK 5: AN INNOCENT MAN
Chapter 1
Commander William Toti’s running shoes: The narrative related in this chapter, the characterization of Admiral Pilling, and Toti’s analysis of Hashimoto’s attack are based on interviews with Bill Toti conducted by the authors, 2012–17.
is a nonpartisan forum for debate: U.S. Naval Institute. Accessed online December 10, 2017. https://www.usni.org/about.
“sound and remedial action is not warranted”: Scott, R. D., JAGC, USN. “Report on the Court-Martial of Captain Charles B. McVay III, USN, Commanding Officer, USS Indianapolis.” NJAG 10.2 (18 June 1996): 149–End. (SCOTT.)
Donaho had testified at McVay’s court-martial: COURT-MARTIAL. Donaho Testimony, 334–44.
“The Founding Fathers explicitly rejected”: Toti, William J. “The Legacy of USS Indianapolis.” USNI News, July 30, 2014. Accessed February 15, 2015. (PROCEEDINGS.) https://news.usni.org/2014/07/30/legacy-uss-indianapolis. (Reprinted from 1999.)
“That is why he was found guilty”: Ibid.
put a .38 revolver to his temple: Police report, Suicide of Charles B. McVay on November 6, 1968. Connecticut State Police, November 7, 1968.
Some said it was a crumbling marriage: Lindsey Wilcox LEGACY interview. Wilcox spent time with McVay in New Orleans after the war.
dark dreams that teemed with circling sharks: Stanton, Doug. In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors. New York: H. Holt, 2001, 7. (IHW.)
a school history fair project: See generally, Nelson, Pete, and Preface by Hunter Scott. Left for Dead: A Young Man’s Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis. New York: Delacorte, 2002. (LFD.)
On NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw: Biography of Hunter Scott included in “The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Subsequent Court Martial of Rear Adm. Charles B. McVay III, USN,” Transcript of Hearing Before the Committee on Armed Services United States Senate. One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, September 14, 1999. 24. (SCAS.)
he was also irritating the very people: Interview with Bill Toti. Personnel in the Pentagon office of the judge advocate general told Toti that Hunter Scott was making the “wrong people” angry in D.C.
Chapter 2
“This is some kid’s school project”: Bob Smith, former United States senator. The authors conducted multiple telephone and email interviews with Senator Smith in 2016 and 2017. We also had the honor of having dinner with Senator Smith at the July 2017 survivors reunion in Indianapolis at which the senator was the keynote speaker. Senator Smith does an excellent Bill Clinton impression. (SENATOR.)
That had been in April 1998: The narrative of Senator Smith’s meeting with John Luddy, then with Hunter Scott and the Indianapolis survivors, is based on the SENATOR interviews noted above.
Hunter’s interest in Indianapolis was triggered: The narrative of Hunter’s getting involved with the survivors and their fight for McVay is based on the preface to Left for Dead, which Hunter wrote at age sixteen. (LFD, xi–xx.) Hunter wrote of his fight for Captain McVay, “I think one wonderful thing about being eleven years old is that a letter from the office of the President or the Secretary of the Navy saying something cannot be done doesn’t mean too much.”
“20 Most Fascinating Men in Politics”: SASC. Bio of Hunter Scott, 24.
they made a hell of a team: SENATOR.
“miscarriage of justice that led to his unjust humiliation”: Senate Joint Resolution 26. Congress.gov. Accessed online December 10, 2017. https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/26.
came across Navy documents: SASC. Testimony of Dan Kurzman, 46–52.
Kimo made a typically audacious move: McVay, Kimo, letter to Mochitsura Hashimoto, November 1, 1990. Indiana Historical Society. USS Indianapolis Collection.
enlisted the help of a wealthy retiree: Information about Mike Monroney is taken from TOTI and DUCKY interviews.
These senators included John McCain: SASC. II.
citizen gun rights and unborn children’s: Goldberg, Carey. “I
ndependent Conservative Bob Smith Runs Uphill Race on Principle.” New York Times, September 20, 1999.
some kid was going to swoop in: SENATOR interviews.
Chapter 3
going at it for more than an hour: The account of Bill Toti’s meetings concerning the exoneration language for Captain McVay, and Admiral Pilling’s response, is based on TOTI INT.
“We cannot change history”: Taken from the original testimony Toti wrote for Pilling.
Several survivors would testify: SASC. The full list of survivors and other witnesses, as well as transcripts of oral testimony and copies of written statements, are included.
the question Toti had asked in his Proceedings article: PROCEEDINGS.
Toti’s phone rang, a corded landline: The account of Admiral Pilling’s surprise Saturday phone call is based on TOTI INT.
Chapter 4
Monroney had seen them: Toti, William, fax to Mike Monroney. “Suggested Questions for Navy Witnesses.” September 9, 1999. Private papers of William Toti.
Warner was the survivors’ contemporary: Warner, John W, biography. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed online June 10, 2017. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000154.
He brought the hearing to order: The account of the September 14, 1999, Senate Armed Services Committee hearing is based on the complete hearing record. SASC.
“very moving experience for me to go back and shake their hands”: SASC, Warner, 1.
an inevitable invasion of Japan: SASC, Warner, 9.
There were twenty-two of those statements: SASC, Warner, 10–41.
“stand and be accounted for, gentlemen”: SASC, Warner, 18.
“Charles McVay IV, where are you?”: SASC, Smith, 20.
Chapter 5
Warner called the first witness, Hunter Scott: SASC. Hunter Scott testimony, 20–22.
leaned to his right, and whispered to Smith: SENATOR. Bob Smith interviews.
Murphy’s face was deadly serious: SASC, 27–41. Also, TOTI INT.
iron-chinned journalist of the old school: Background on Dan Kurzman is based on “Correspondent in Middle East to Speak at IWU.” Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois, November 15, 1953, 6; “Reports Farouk wounded.” News Herald, Franklin, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1952; “Author says USS Indianapolis tragedy a cover-up.” Indianapolis Star, August 11, 1990.
Kurzman ended his testimony with a pair of powerful questions: Kurzman testimony and statement. SASC, 49.
Chapter 6
thought the hearing was going well: SENATOR interviews.
Dudley delivered a lengthy history: Dudley testimony and statement. SASC, 62–69.
“conclude that the proceedings were fair”: Hutson testimony and statement. SASC, 69–74.
Pilling said, smooth and polished as always: SASC. Pilling statement, 74–79. Also, TOTI INT.
“Admiral Pilling, it is weak”: SASC. Smith and Pilling spar, SASC, 79–81.
“when the Navy talks about their mistakes”: Smith and Hutson spar, SASC, 81.
Bibb and USS Hyperion: 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.” 20 January 1946. Indiana Historical Society. USS Indianapolis collection.
sailor named Clair B. Young: SASC. Appendices C and D, 129–31.
two seagoing tugs were indeed dispatched: War Diary, Philippine Sea Frontier, July 1–31, 1945, National Archives, accessed online at Fold3.com.
ripped the pages relevant to the distress calls: Naval History and Heritage Command historian Dr. Richard Hulver researched Russell Hetz’s story. Hetz was stationed aboard LCI-1004. The vessel’s deck logs, held at the National Archives, appear to be complete.
Another man, Donald Allen: SASC. Appendix L.
handwritten notes of Lieutenant Carl Bauersfeld: Bauersfeld, Carl. Handwritten proof matrix prepared for the court-martial of Captain McVay. Papers of Carl Bauersfeld. Private collection. Courtesy of Carl Bauersfeld, Jr. This collection also includes the Navy memorandum assigning Lieutenant Bauersfeld to the case and a laudatory letter dated 2 January 1946, from Captain Ryan, the judge advocate. Ryan wrote that Bauersfeld’s performance on the case was “of the highest order” and that he acted as “an associate [counsel] rather than an assistant.”
Warner seemed troubled by some of the Navy’s assertions: SASC, 86–93.
“We should change injustices”: SASC, Smith, 89.
July 2005
At the Westin Hotel in Indianapolis: The authors’ account of the 2005 survivors’ reunion is based on author Sara Vladic’s experiences at that reunion. Sara was the “young filmmaker” who happened to be present with her camera when Bob Bunai began to speak about the sinking and the days in the water after sixty years of silence.
“Ducky” Hemenway, battled the Pentagon: Margaret “Ducky” Hemenway,” legislative assistant to Senator Bob Smith, interviewed by Lynn Vincent on August 1, 2016. Also: SENATOR. Bob Smith interviews.
“I have met many of your brave men”: Hashimoto, Mochitsura, letter to Senator John Warner concerning the exoneration of Captain McVay. October 1999.
called Smith to his office to show him the letter: SENATOR.
England met with Toti to discuss the history: TOTI INT.
“recognize Captain McVay’s lack of culpability”: Military Service Record of Rear Admiral Charles B. McVay III, obtained from the National Archives via Persons of Exceptional Prominence program. October 2016. Exoneration language added to McVay’s record by Captain Bill Toti at the direction of Secretary of Navy Gordon R. England, 11 July 2001.
“Present the medal to Captain McVay’s living son”: TOTI INT.
“You get in and I’ll give you a ride!”: It was author Sara Vladic whom survivor Paul Murphy took for a spin in his wheelchair that day.
Only 317 Survived, a collection of first-person accounts: Murphy, Mary Lou, and USS Indianapolis Survivors. Only 317 Survived!: USS Indianapolis (CA-35): Navy’s Worst Tragedy at Sea—880 Men Died. Indianapolis, IN: USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization, 2002. (317.)
“I didn’t see the world”: 317, 85.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
PRIMARY SOURCES
Indianapolis and Sinking: U.S. Navy Documents and Reports
Action Report, Nansei Shoto Operations (Phase 1) 18 March–7 April 1945, USS Indianapolis. RG23, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. (NANSEI)
Action Report, Iwo Jima Operations, 8 February–5 March 1945, USS Indianapolis. RG23, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. (IWO OPS)
Action Report, “USS Indianapolis: 450 miles east of Leyte Gulf, 30 July 1945, Including Circumstances of the Resultant Sinking of the Ship, 26 August 1945.” Written from Naval Base Hospital No. 18 at Guam, this is McVay’s official report on the sinking to Fleet Admiral King. Indiana Historical Society, USS Indianapolis Collection.
Battle Casualty List, U.S. Naval Base Hospital No. 20, 5 August 1945. Record Group 125, Box 35, National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
Compilation of naval message traffic concerning Indianapolis, 26 July–3 August 1945. Record Group 125, Box 35, National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
Crew and Casualty List, USS Indianapolis, Office of the Judge Advocate General (Navy), Courts of Inquiry, 18 May 1932–June 1953. Record Group 125, Box 35. National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
Deck Logs, USS Indianapolis, 1 March–31 March 1945. Record Group 24, Box 4839, National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
Deck Logs, USS Indianapolis, 1 April–30 April 1945. Record Group 24, Box 4839, National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
Documents concerning SS Wild Hunter, USS Albert T. Harris, and USS Greene ant
isubmarine operations, 28 and 29 July 1945:
• Action Report, USS Albert T. Harris, 30 July 1945. Record Group 38, Box 800. National Archives, College Park, Maryland. This record, documenting Harris’s multiple hedgehog and depth-charge attacks on the enemy sub ahead of Indy’s track, was located for the authors by the amazing archivist Nathaniel Patch (who should wear a cape and a big S on his chest). Vice Admiral J. L. Kauffman, commander of the Philippine Sea Frontier (Norman Gillette was acting commander) and a submarine expert, wrote, “This command is of the opinion that a depth charge attack should have been executed after the first two ‘runs’ showed a definitely narrow width and the strong possibility of a small target.”
• Deck Logs, USS Albert T. Harris, 24 July–29 July 1945. National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
• Deck Logs, USS Greene, 27 July–30 July 1945. National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
• Memorandum: 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.
• Report of Voyage, SS Wild Hunter, Long Beach, California, to Manila, Philippines. Report submitted 31 July 1945 by Lieutenant Bruce K. Maxwell, Commanding Officer. This report summarizes the periscope sightings that initiated the Harris/Greene hunter-killer operations, along with Wild Hunter’s firing on the target. War Diary, Philippine Sea Frontier, 1 July–31 July 1945, National Archives, accessed online at Fold3.com, July 15, 2016.
Haynes, Commander Lewis L., to Naval Inspector General via Captain C. E. Coney. “An account of survivors following the sinking of the USS Indianapolis with recommended changes in lifesaving equipment.” 26 November 1945. Indiana Historical Society. USS Indianapolis collection.
“Leyte Gulf Expected Arrivals list,” 31 July–2 August 1945. Record Group 125, Box 35, National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
Naval Message from Bureau of Naval Personnel stating that next-of-kin notification for casualties from USS Indianapolis was complete, 13 August 1945. Record Group 38, Box 83, National Archives, College Park, Maryland.