On This Day, 80 Years Ago: Remembering the Tragic Sinking of the USS Indianapolis

Eighty years ago, in the waning days of World War II, a devastating tragedy unfolded in the vast expanses of the Philippine Sea. At 00:15 on July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine while on a top-secret mission in the dead of night. What followed would become one of the most harrowing and deadly disasters in United States naval history—a story of heroism, suffering, and survival against impossible odds.

The Secret Mission

The USS Indianapolis was no ordinary cruiser. In July of 1945, she had just completed a mission that would change the course of history: delivering components of the “Little Boy” atomic bomb to Tinian Island, the weapon that would later be dropped on Hiroshima. This mission, shrouded in the utmost secrecy, was crucial to ending the war in the Pacific.

After her swift and clandestine delivery, the Indianapolis set a course for Leyte Gulf in the Philippines to prepare for further duty. Sailing unescorted, and unaware of lurking threats beneath the waves, she carried approximately 1,195 men aboard—sailors and marines young and old, many of whom had no idea of the monstrous cargo they had just delivered.

The Attack

On the calm, dark waters just after midnight, tragedy struck. Japanese submarine I-58, commanded by Mochitsura Hashimoto, fired a spread of torpedoes. Two of the deadly weapons struck the Indianapolis, causing catastrophic damage. Explosions ripped through her starboard side; ammunition ignited and seawater poured in. Within a mere 12 minutes, the mighty cruiser rolled over and sank, leaving hundreds of stunned sailors scrambling for survival in the open ocean.

Survival and Ordeal in the Sea

Of the approximately 1,195 men onboard, around 900 survived the sinking itself, plunging into the night, many with only life jackets or makeshift flotation devices. Their ordeal was only beginning.

For days, the survivors drifted in the sweltering sun, battling dehydration, exhaustion, and exposure. The most terrifying threat, however, came from beneath: oceanic whitetip and tiger sharks attracted by the carnage. It would become the largest shark attack in recorded history. While exact numbers are disputed, hundreds perished from shark attacks, exposure, dehydration, or wounds from the initial explosion.

Their suffering was exacerbated by a series of communication failures. Rescue was delayed; few knew the ship was even missing. As the men fought to stay alive, their hope ebbed with each passing hour under the merciless sun.

Rescue and Aftermath

After nearly five days adrift, on August 2, 1945, a routine patrol plane on anti-submarine duty spotted the men in the water by sheer chance. The first rescuers dropped rafts and supplies and radioed for help. In the largest open-ocean rescue in naval history, ships and planes converged to save the remaining survivors.

Of the original crew, only 316 were pulled from the sea alive. The loss of the USS Indianapolis and her crew remains one of the most grievous tragedies in the annals of the United States Navy.

Aftermath, Accountability, and Legacy

In the wake of the disaster, a shocked nation demanded answers. Captain Charles B. McVay III, commanding officer of the Indianapolis, was court-martialed—the only captain in U.S. naval history to be so tried for the loss of his ship to enemy action in wartime. Decades later, after evidence of poor communication and failures at higher command were brought to light, McVay was posthumously exonerated.

The legacy of the Indianapolis endures, not only as a tale of profound tragedy but also of remarkable courage and brotherhood. Survivors, their families, and the families of lost sailors have ensured the story is never forgotten, holding reunions for decades and successfully lobbying for McVay’s exoneration.

Remembering the Indianapolis Today

The 2017 discovery of the ship’s final resting place by Paul Allen’s research team deep in the Philippine Sea brought closure to many families and renewed public attention to the story.

Today, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis serves as a powerful reminder of the costs of war and the enduring strength of the human spirit. On this 80th anniversary, we honor the 879 men who perished and the 316 who survived the unimaginable—a testament to bravery in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Let us pause to remember their sacrifice, learn from their ordeal, and ensure that future generations never forget the lesson of the USS Indianapolis: that even in the darkest hours, courage and hope endure.