Tony Judkins went into the air from the explosion and came down on the deck, suffering painful but minor injuries. John Murphy was blown off into the water where he found some floating debris and clung onto it with another man who died later.
John Murphy had his shoes on and was considering kicking them off, but was glad he kept them as they were useful in kicking off sharks. He still had those shoes when he died.
Rescuers arrived on the scene (unlike in the case of the USS Indianapolis) and were about to give up looking for survivors in the water, but Judkins insisted that his buddy John was still alive out there. On their last try, 24-hours later, they found John floating a mile away. he was alive, but had suffered a broken back which troubled him for the rest of his life.
The ship captain and second in command had been killed in the wheelhouse during the explosion.
Tony Judkins then was transferred to an aircraft carrier and his buddy John was transferred back to the U.S.. His war was over.
This story related to James Murphy by John Murphy.
Just One of Those World War II Stories. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Last Mission of LCI(L)-600-- Part 2
Two crew members on the LCI(L)-600 were John Darrell Murphy and Tony Judkins, two best friends from Des Moines, Iowa who enlisted in the U.S. Navy December 10, 1943, and had their basic training near Chicago (Great Lakes) and were assigned to the East Coast and then to the newly-launched LCI(L)-600.
They went through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor and from there to Ulithi in the Caroline Island.
When it was sunk on January 12, 1945, it was on a mission to transfer a sailor from his ship to a hospital ship for medical treatment. The captain had ordered the crew to their battle stations. Tony Judkins, a cook, had his at the forward gun. His friend John Murphy manned a gun near the wheelhouse.
The official Navy report from the time lists an undetermined explosion followed, but recent research of Japanese war records shows that the Japanese submarine I-36 released four Kaiten Special Attack Submarines on Jan. 12, 1945 and one of them struck the LCI(L)-600.
More to Come. --GreGen
They went through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor and from there to Ulithi in the Caroline Island.
When it was sunk on January 12, 1945, it was on a mission to transfer a sailor from his ship to a hospital ship for medical treatment. The captain had ordered the crew to their battle stations. Tony Judkins, a cook, had his at the forward gun. His friend John Murphy manned a gun near the wheelhouse.
The official Navy report from the time lists an undetermined explosion followed, but recent research of Japanese war records shows that the Japanese submarine I-36 released four Kaiten Special Attack Submarines on Jan. 12, 1945 and one of them struck the LCI(L)-600.
More to Come. --GreGen
LCI(L)-600
From the U-boat.net.
The LCI(L)-600 was built by the New Jersey Shipbuilding Corporation in Barber, NJ. It was laid down on 27 March 1944, launched 29 April 1944 and commissioned the same day. That is a pretty amazing one month to build a ship that was 158-feet long that was designed to carry 200 troops. LCI(L) refers to Landing Craft Infantry (Large).
It was sunk 12 January 1945 by a Japanese Kaiten launched by the I-36.
--GreGen
The LCI(L)-600 was built by the New Jersey Shipbuilding Corporation in Barber, NJ. It was laid down on 27 March 1944, launched 29 April 1944 and commissioned the same day. That is a pretty amazing one month to build a ship that was 158-feet long that was designed to carry 200 troops. LCI(L) refers to Landing Craft Infantry (Large).
It was sunk 12 January 1945 by a Japanese Kaiten launched by the I-36.
--GreGen
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The Last Mission of LCI (L)-600-- Part 1
From lagenweb.org by James Murphy.
The I-58, the Japanese submarine that sank the USS Indianapolis, on an earlier mission on Jan 12, 1945, launched all four human-manned torpedo submarines called Kaiten and is credited with sinking an escort carrier and a large oiler on that date. I could find no mention of an American escort carrier sinking that day or fleet oiler.
However, on that same date, the Japanese submarine I-36 released special attack submarines called Kaiten and is credited with sinking the LCI-L-600.
--GreGen
The I-58, the Japanese submarine that sank the USS Indianapolis, on an earlier mission on Jan 12, 1945, launched all four human-manned torpedo submarines called Kaiten and is credited with sinking an escort carrier and a large oiler on that date. I could find no mention of an American escort carrier sinking that day or fleet oiler.
However, on that same date, the Japanese submarine I-36 released special attack submarines called Kaiten and is credited with sinking the LCI-L-600.
--GreGen
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
USS Indianapolis Survivore Edgar Harrell-- Part 11: Spotted?
Edgar Harrell and another Marine then joined 55 others on a raft. While on it, he saw a crate floating in the ocean and swam over to it and found it loaded with potatoes, although mostly rotten. he peeled off the rotten parts and ate several, his first food since the sinking. He referred to it as his little picnic of half-rotten potatoes.
Five others joined him for dining.
He remembers the nights being really dark. By now, it was just Harrell and Lt. McKisseth from texas still on the raft.
They could every so often see B-29s flying off on missions at 30,000 feet, way too far away and high to see them. And, the USS Idaho had not reported them missing.
Then they looked up and the call went out, "There's a plane. It was a B-25 flying along at 4,000 feet. This gave them renewed energy despite the ordeal, as they tried to wave it down.
Did the Plane See Them? --GreGen
Five others joined him for dining.
He remembers the nights being really dark. By now, it was just Harrell and Lt. McKisseth from texas still on the raft.
They could every so often see B-29s flying off on missions at 30,000 feet, way too far away and high to see them. And, the USS Idaho had not reported them missing.
Then they looked up and the call went out, "There's a plane. It was a B-25 flying along at 4,000 feet. This gave them renewed energy despite the ordeal, as they tried to wave it down.
Did the Plane See Them? --GreGen
Monday, May 12, 2014
USS Indianapolis Survivore Edgar Harrell-- Part 10: Second and Third Days
The second day at sea, a cloud came over and it rained a little. Everyone took as much advantage as they could of this really little bit of water.
At night, the water was warm, but the air was cold and Harrell's group was losing members to hypothermia, believe it or not.
By the third day, there were only 17 left in the group. Bodies were decomposing and Harrell remembered that if you bumped into one, they would leave a residue.
Another developing problem was that their Kapon Jackets were only meant to be used for 48 hours and now were beginning to lose buoyancy. The men had taken their life jackets off and were sitting on them. They learned that you could squeeze the water out of the jackets to regain some of the buoyancy.
This Is When They Saw a Raft. --GreGen
At night, the water was warm, but the air was cold and Harrell's group was losing members to hypothermia, believe it or not.
By the third day, there were only 17 left in the group. Bodies were decomposing and Harrell remembered that if you bumped into one, they would leave a residue.
Another developing problem was that their Kapon Jackets were only meant to be used for 48 hours and now were beginning to lose buoyancy. The men had taken their life jackets off and were sitting on them. They learned that you could squeeze the water out of the jackets to regain some of the buoyancy.
This Is When They Saw a Raft. --GreGen
Saturday, May 10, 2014
USS Indianapolis Survivor Edgar Harrell-- Part 9: The Next Day
The next day dawned bright and hot for the men in the water. One thing they were thankful for was that the battleship USS Idaho would soon be looking for them because there was to be gunnery practice the next day. Surely, this ship would alert someone and a rescue made.
About this time, they spotted a large fin slicing through the water, heading toward them and circling. . Some thought they were seeing a mirage, and then other fins joined with the first one. Then the attacks began and they started losing sailors.
Fighting off sharks and losing men was pretty much the order for the rest of the day.
By the second night, they had been without water for a long time and some began drinking the seawater. Kapon jackets require near constant swimming and they were worn out from that as well as many had injuries from the explosions. Those who drank the salt water lost their minds. Many were hallucinating.
--GreGen
About this time, they spotted a large fin slicing through the water, heading toward them and circling. . Some thought they were seeing a mirage, and then other fins joined with the first one. Then the attacks began and they started losing sailors.
Fighting off sharks and losing men was pretty much the order for the rest of the day.
By the second night, they had been without water for a long time and some began drinking the seawater. Kapon jackets require near constant swimming and they were worn out from that as well as many had injuries from the explosions. Those who drank the salt water lost their minds. Many were hallucinating.
--GreGen
USS Indianapolis Survivor Edgar Harrell-- Part 8: Sinking Ship
Edgar Harrell went to midship where he saw an officer who had been flash-burned in the explosion and whose flesh was just hanging down. He knew the ship was sinking and since he didn't have a life jacket (strapped to the side of the ship), he asked a Marine lieutenant for permission to grab one, but was refused because orders to abandon ship hadn't been given.
All ship communications had been destroyed in the explosions, but finally word filtered that they were to abandon ship. Harrell grabbed a life jacket, prayed and jumped overboard (which was not too far of a jump as the ship was rapidly sinking.
The life jackets were called "Kapon Jackets" which the men referred to as "horse collars" because of their shape.
The ship was going down fast by now and Harrell remembers seeing the huge screws still turning as it went down.
He got into a group which included two other Marines. One, with broken bones was dying and lived but for a little while. Making matters worse were the ten foot high swells they found themselves in. Every attempt was made to stay together, but that was extremely difficult. Somehow, they made it through the night to the next day.
--GreGen
All ship communications had been destroyed in the explosions, but finally word filtered that they were to abandon ship. Harrell grabbed a life jacket, prayed and jumped overboard (which was not too far of a jump as the ship was rapidly sinking.
The life jackets were called "Kapon Jackets" which the men referred to as "horse collars" because of their shape.
The ship was going down fast by now and Harrell remembers seeing the huge screws still turning as it went down.
He got into a group which included two other Marines. One, with broken bones was dying and lived but for a little while. Making matters worse were the ten foot high swells they found themselves in. Every attempt was made to stay together, but that was extremely difficult. Somehow, they made it through the night to the next day.
--GreGen
Friday, May 9, 2014
USS Indianapolis Survivor Edgar Harrell-- Part 7
From Tinian, the Indianapolis went to Guam and then was ordered to the Philippines.. The captain asked that escort ships be sent in case of encounter with Japanese submarines, but the request was denied. Mr. Harrell made a big point of the fact that the Indy was sent directly into "Harm's Way" without escort.
Three days out, Mr. Harrell had just gotten off his watch at midnight. The temperature was still at 110 degrees and the Indianapolis had no air conditioning. Fortunately, the captain had allowed off-duty sailors to sleep on the deck. Harrell returned to his quarters and got a blanket and went topside, all the way forward.
The night before, he had slept on top of gun turret #1 at the front of the ship. There was a life raft on top of that turret. This night, he slept on the deck.
This night, the Japanese submarine I-58 was in the area. It had two Kaiten suicide submarines aboard, but, after he saw a large ship, Cmdr. Horshimoto decided not to use them. Two of his torpedoes struck the Indianapolis. The first torpedo literally took the ship's bow off. Harrell said it simply was no longer there.
The second torpedo struck directly below the Marine compartment, causing the magazine for No. 2 turret to explode. Harrell could clearly hear the sound of bulkheads breaking on the ship.
--GreGen
Three days out, Mr. Harrell had just gotten off his watch at midnight. The temperature was still at 110 degrees and the Indianapolis had no air conditioning. Fortunately, the captain had allowed off-duty sailors to sleep on the deck. Harrell returned to his quarters and got a blanket and went topside, all the way forward.
The night before, he had slept on top of gun turret #1 at the front of the ship. There was a life raft on top of that turret. This night, he slept on the deck.
This night, the Japanese submarine I-58 was in the area. It had two Kaiten suicide submarines aboard, but, after he saw a large ship, Cmdr. Horshimoto decided not to use them. Two of his torpedoes struck the Indianapolis. The first torpedo literally took the ship's bow off. Harrell said it simply was no longer there.
The second torpedo struck directly below the Marine compartment, causing the magazine for No. 2 turret to explode. Harrell could clearly hear the sound of bulkheads breaking on the ship.
--GreGen
USS Indianapolis Survivor Edgar Harrell-- Part 6
Mr. Harrell was just 18 and from Kentucky when he enlisted in the U.S. Marines and had boot camp at San Diego, California. From there he went to sea school and after graduation from there, went to San Francisco and was assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis.
He was on it for service at Saipan, Tinian, Pelilu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was part of the ship's Marine Guard. At Okinawa, the ship was hit by a kamikaze and had to return to San Francisco for repairs.
It was there, on July 16, 1945, when a big crane picked up a big crate and placed it on board. No one knew what was in that crate. They received orders to proceed at top speed to Tinian Island with that strange crate.
Then, a heavily guarded canister was placed in Admiral Spruance's vacant quarters. It also was heavily guarded. They found out later that the canister contained half of all the uranium the United States had at the time. The crate contained the components for the Fat Man and Little Boy atomic bombs.
The Indianapolis got underway and crossed under the Golden gate Bridge. It is 5400 miles from San Francisco to Tinian and the ship covered the distance in just ten days and then they unloaded the strange cargo, still unaware of what it was for.
--GreGen
He was on it for service at Saipan, Tinian, Pelilu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was part of the ship's Marine Guard. At Okinawa, the ship was hit by a kamikaze and had to return to San Francisco for repairs.
It was there, on July 16, 1945, when a big crane picked up a big crate and placed it on board. No one knew what was in that crate. They received orders to proceed at top speed to Tinian Island with that strange crate.
Then, a heavily guarded canister was placed in Admiral Spruance's vacant quarters. It also was heavily guarded. They found out later that the canister contained half of all the uranium the United States had at the time. The crate contained the components for the Fat Man and Little Boy atomic bombs.
The Indianapolis got underway and crossed under the Golden gate Bridge. It is 5400 miles from San Francisco to Tinian and the ship covered the distance in just ten days and then they unloaded the strange cargo, still unaware of what it was for.
--GreGen
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Naval Aviator Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr: Operation Aphrodite
From Wikipedia.
This is the man for whom the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. destroyer was named. He died August 12, 1944 while on a top secret mission in Operation Aphrodite. This was a mission to send unmanned, explosive-laden Army Air Force Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and Navy PB44-1 Liberators bombers and deliberately crash them into targets using remote control.
These planes could not take off by remote control and required a crew of two to take off, fly up to 2,000 feet, activate the remote controls and parachute down.
Joseph Kennedy and Lt. Wilford John Wills were designated to be the Navy crew. They took off on August 12, 1944, carrying 21,170 pounds of Torpex, 50% more powerful than TNT. The plane was going to crash into the Fortress of Mimoyecques in northern France. The Germans had the super cannons, V-3 there with a 165 kilometer range with intention of firing on London.
Unfortunately, once in the air, the explosives went off.
Quite the Hero. --GreGen
This is the man for whom the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. destroyer was named. He died August 12, 1944 while on a top secret mission in Operation Aphrodite. This was a mission to send unmanned, explosive-laden Army Air Force Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and Navy PB44-1 Liberators bombers and deliberately crash them into targets using remote control.
These planes could not take off by remote control and required a crew of two to take off, fly up to 2,000 feet, activate the remote controls and parachute down.
Joseph Kennedy and Lt. Wilford John Wills were designated to be the Navy crew. They took off on August 12, 1944, carrying 21,170 pounds of Torpex, 50% more powerful than TNT. The plane was going to crash into the Fortress of Mimoyecques in northern France. The Germans had the super cannons, V-3 there with a 165 kilometer range with intention of firing on London.
Unfortunately, once in the air, the explosives went off.
Quite the Hero. --GreGen
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850)
From Wikipedia.
Like I said, with a number like 850, the Kennedy was one that was launched late in the war. This was the model destroyer that was at the Edgar Harrell presentation. I needed to do some research.
It was named after Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., naval aviator and son of Ambassador to Britain Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.. He was the older brother of President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Attorney General/Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy.
It was laid down and launched at Quincy, Massachusetts in just four months 2 April 1945- 26 July 1945 and commissioned after the war on 15 December 1945. It was decommissioned 2 July 1973 and today is a museum ship at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Robert F. Kennedy was on the Kennedy's shakedown cruise as an apprentice seaman. It's nickname was "Joey P."
In 1961 it took part in the blockade of Cuba during the missile crisis and later in the 60s, the recovery of Gemini 6 and 7.
Not Quite World War II, But With a Lot of Ties. --GreGen
Like I said, with a number like 850, the Kennedy was one that was launched late in the war. This was the model destroyer that was at the Edgar Harrell presentation. I needed to do some research.
It was named after Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., naval aviator and son of Ambassador to Britain Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.. He was the older brother of President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Attorney General/Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy.
It was laid down and launched at Quincy, Massachusetts in just four months 2 April 1945- 26 July 1945 and commissioned after the war on 15 December 1945. It was decommissioned 2 July 1973 and today is a museum ship at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Robert F. Kennedy was on the Kennedy's shakedown cruise as an apprentice seaman. It's nickname was "Joey P."
In 1961 it took part in the blockade of Cuba during the missile crisis and later in the 60s, the recovery of Gemini 6 and 7.
Not Quite World War II, But With a Lot of Ties. --GreGen
Monday, May 5, 2014
World War II Veterans At the Harrell Presentation
I was kind of wondering how many World War II veterans were in attendance and the organizers asked how many veterans altogether were in attendance. I had seen several enter with assistance and walkers, perhaps they might be. They had several autographed books by Mr. Harrell and asked how many veterans were over the age of 90 and three held up their hands and received them.
Then, they asked who the youngest one was and turned out to be a 26-year-old petty officer from Great Lakes. He got one as well.
The overall World War II total of veterans was five.
When Mr. Harrell, 89, got to the podium, he asked how many of the World War II veterans were USMC (he was a Marine).and two of them were Marines. He then said, "Now you know why the Marine Corps is still looking for a few good men."
--GreGen
Then, they asked who the youngest one was and turned out to be a 26-year-old petty officer from Great Lakes. He got one as well.
The overall World War II total of veterans was five.
When Mr. Harrell, 89, got to the podium, he asked how many of the World War II veterans were USMC (he was a Marine).and two of them were Marines. He then said, "Now you know why the Marine Corps is still looking for a few good men."
--GreGen
Why It Takes So Long to Do This Blog
Well, actually, this applies to all my blogs.
After the last post about the model of the destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850) at the Edgar Harrell presentation, I decided to find out more about the ship. An hour passed by.
First I researched the ship. That led to its namesake, brother of President John F. Kennedy, then his death in something called Operation Aphrodite, a top secret operation. That led to the German batteries of V-#3 long-range cannons at the Fortress of Mimoyecques in northern France. from which they intended to bombard London.
No Wonder. --GreGen
After the last post about the model of the destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850) at the Edgar Harrell presentation, I decided to find out more about the ship. An hour passed by.
First I researched the ship. That led to its namesake, brother of President John F. Kennedy, then his death in something called Operation Aphrodite, a top secret operation. That led to the German batteries of V-#3 long-range cannons at the Fortress of Mimoyecques in northern France. from which they intended to bombard London.
No Wonder. --GreGen
USS Joseph P.Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850: Model At the Edgar Harrell Presentation
We were in the Chain of Lakes Bible Church's main sanctuary and I was a little surprised to see the a large-scale model of a World War II destroyer on the altar. We were told that Art Carlson had built it over a two-and-a-half year period and it appeared to be quite detailed.
Afterwards, I went up to the altar for a closer look and found it to be the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850) which would have made it a very late in the war ship. Mr. Carlson was there and he said he did not serve on it and had just chosen it as a project. He had used used all sheet metal and that the ship could actually run under its own power. He's used it to chase ducks.
And, was it ever detailed. Actually, I'd say it was partially a floating gun platform used a lot for anti-aitcraft duty, but also had several turrets of double 5-inch guns, torpedoes and depth charges. A real multi-task vessel.
--GreGen
Afterwards, I went up to the altar for a closer look and found it to be the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850) which would have made it a very late in the war ship. Mr. Carlson was there and he said he did not serve on it and had just chosen it as a project. He had used used all sheet metal and that the ship could actually run under its own power. He's used it to chase ducks.
And, was it ever detailed. Actually, I'd say it was partially a floating gun platform used a lot for anti-aitcraft duty, but also had several turrets of double 5-inch guns, torpedoes and depth charges. A real multi-task vessel.
--GreGen
Saturday, May 3, 2014
USS Register (APD-92)
Wikipedia.
Yesterday, I mentioned the USS Register as one of the USS Indianapolis' rescue ships.
The USS Register, a high-speed transport ship was commissioned 11 January 1945 and had just escorted two escort carriers to Ulithi Atoll when, on its way back, joined eight ships searching for the USS Indianapolis survivors.
On August 3, 1845, it picked up 12 survivors and transferred them to the hospital at Peleliu the next day.
GreGen
Yesterday, I mentioned the USS Register as one of the USS Indianapolis' rescue ships.
The USS Register, a high-speed transport ship was commissioned 11 January 1945 and had just escorted two escort carriers to Ulithi Atoll when, on its way back, joined eight ships searching for the USS Indianapolis survivors.
On August 3, 1845, it picked up 12 survivors and transferred them to the hospital at Peleliu the next day.
GreGen
Friday, May 2, 2014
USS Indianapolis Survivor Edgar Harrell-- Part 5
The talk by Mr. Harrell began at 7 PM April 30, 2014, at the Chain of Lakes Bible Church on Grasslake Road in Lake Villa, Illinois. I found out after the presentation that he had been on the Moody Bible Institute radio station earlier in the morning and that the next day he had another presentation elsewhere in the Chicagoland area.
I was glad I came thirty minutes later because the place was filling up rapidly. By the time he started, all 500 or so seats in the place were filled, people standing along the back walls and even an overflow crowd in the adjacent gymnasium watching on a large screen.
I was especially encouraged to see a large number of younger people in attendance, plus, there was a sizable contingent from Great Lakes in Chicago, the Navy's only training base. A Lt.Cmdr. sat next to me with his son and had a plaque to present Mr. Harrell showing his training command in front of the USS Indianapolis Pool. Each year, all 44,000 recruits have to show that they can swim in this pool, so, for many, it is their first introduction to that ship. Great Lakes is the only naval recruit training center.
The lt.cmdr. told me that there were just 37 Indianapolis survivors still alive and, last month, I found out that the youngest sailor on the ship had just died earlier in April. He said that George Stockton, who was on board the USS Register which had rescued some of the survivors, had just died last year.
--GreGen
I was glad I came thirty minutes later because the place was filling up rapidly. By the time he started, all 500 or so seats in the place were filled, people standing along the back walls and even an overflow crowd in the adjacent gymnasium watching on a large screen.
I was especially encouraged to see a large number of younger people in attendance, plus, there was a sizable contingent from Great Lakes in Chicago, the Navy's only training base. A Lt.Cmdr. sat next to me with his son and had a plaque to present Mr. Harrell showing his training command in front of the USS Indianapolis Pool. Each year, all 44,000 recruits have to show that they can swim in this pool, so, for many, it is their first introduction to that ship. Great Lakes is the only naval recruit training center.
The lt.cmdr. told me that there were just 37 Indianapolis survivors still alive and, last month, I found out that the youngest sailor on the ship had just died earlier in April. He said that George Stockton, who was on board the USS Register which had rescued some of the survivors, had just died last year.
--GreGen
USS Indianapolis Survivor Edgar Harrell-- Part 4
He has written a book about his experience on the USS Indianapolis. It is called "Out of the Depths: An Unforgettable WWII Story of Survival, Courage, and the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis." By Edgar Harrell, USMC with David Harrell.
--GreGen
--GreGen
USS Indianapolis Survivor Edgar Harrell-- Part 3
From the event's brochure.
Edgar Harrell owned and operated Pella Window Company, Inc., Rock Island, Illinois, for thirty-five years until his retirement in 1985. He also served on the board of trustees of the Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, Illinois, and has been a popular Bible teacher and lay minister throughout his adult life.
He has enjoyed many years of fishing and big game hunting in the Rocky Mountains from Alaska to New Mexico, and currently resides in Clarksville, Tennessee, with his wife Ola, enjoying their two children, eight grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
As a survivor of the USS Indianapolis (www.indysurvivor.com), Mr. Harrell speaks extensively around the United States about his experience at sea.
--GreGen
Edgar Harrell owned and operated Pella Window Company, Inc., Rock Island, Illinois, for thirty-five years until his retirement in 1985. He also served on the board of trustees of the Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, Illinois, and has been a popular Bible teacher and lay minister throughout his adult life.
He has enjoyed many years of fishing and big game hunting in the Rocky Mountains from Alaska to New Mexico, and currently resides in Clarksville, Tennessee, with his wife Ola, enjoying their two children, eight grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
As a survivor of the USS Indianapolis (www.indysurvivor.com), Mr. Harrell speaks extensively around the United States about his experience at sea.
--GreGen
USS Indianapolis Survivor Edgar Harrell-- Part 2
Edgar Harrell's story has to do with his experience during those four-and-a-half days. He abandoned ship with only a kapok life jacket and thus required swimming for that period of time. It was estimated that some 900 men got off the ship into the sea, but many had been injured from the explosions and resulting fire.
Of the eighty men the group that Harrell found himself in, some 40 didn't make it through the second day, and there were only 17 alive the third day at noon.
It was an answer to a prayer for water when a small cloud passed overhead and dropped some much needed rain. On the third day, he found a crate of half rotten potatoes which helped sustain him.
At the end of the 4th day. an American plane very fortunately spotted the Indianapolis' oil slick and upon investigation, found Indianapolis survivors scattered over a 75-mile area. Rescue was called in and over the next 24 hours, only 317 of the 1197 on the Indianapolis when it sank, were rescued.
There Was No Way I Was Going to Miss an Opportunity to See and Hear This Man. --GreGen
Of the eighty men the group that Harrell found himself in, some 40 didn't make it through the second day, and there were only 17 alive the third day at noon.
It was an answer to a prayer for water when a small cloud passed overhead and dropped some much needed rain. On the third day, he found a crate of half rotten potatoes which helped sustain him.
At the end of the 4th day. an American plane very fortunately spotted the Indianapolis' oil slick and upon investigation, found Indianapolis survivors scattered over a 75-mile area. Rescue was called in and over the next 24 hours, only 317 of the 1197 on the Indianapolis when it sank, were rescued.
There Was No Way I Was Going to Miss an Opportunity to See and Hear This Man. --GreGen
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