You’ve done the near impossible....made me well up over a memory not my own. It’s fitting that on this Memorial Day I add Tommy to that unwritten long list of those who sacrificed for me.
He must have graduated with my brother Hunter. You certainly painted a clear picture of his spirit and brought back many emotions of those lost in Viet Nam, so long ago, but still fresh in all of our minds.
Yes, the USS Indianapolis CA-35 - a story that hopefully will be told again and again for generations to come. As of today - there is just one survivor still alive. Perhaps someday a movie will be made that tells the story.
It certainly made the story of the Indy Maru a part of popular culture. I talked to one survivor who said he survived by making sure he didn't look like "bait".
You're probably aware of it, but the story is well told in the book "In Harm's Way." (Completely unrelated to the John Wayne movie of the same name.)
It made me repent of my congenital Army brat disdain for sailors. When things go wrong on a ship they can go very wrong very fast, and there's nowhere to retreat to.
My impression is that the Navy attracts kids who don't live near the ocean. (It was true for me.) - no clue about it. You are very correct - when things go bad, for the Indy Maru it was about 18 minutes. You're sleeping soundly on the deck one moment, 20 minutes later you are floating in a black ocean throwing up fuel oil and hoping the SOS went out. My pick for the Indy book is "Indianapolis" written by 2 women who together know more about the story than anyone ever will again. Sara Valdic, documentary film maker and Lynn Vincent, best selling author and US Navy Veteran.
On a ranch in New Mexico in1992, I spent time talking with the ranch manager, who was a retired Coast Guardsman. Did communications work on remote Pacific islands. Incredibly wise, self-educated man. I asked how he ended up on a ranch in New Mexico. He said, "You know how a sailor retires, don't you?" I said no. He said, "He walks down the gangplank with an oar over his shoulder and starts walking inland. When someone says 'What's that thing?' that's where he settles down." Someone told me recently that that is a literary reference, but I can't remember from where. (Maybe I'm repeating myself and you told me the source.)
I searched Google for "walks down the gangplank with an oar over his shoulder meaning" -- your Twitter comment came up 2nd (already). First was a reference to the "Winnowing Oar" and Odyssues.
That's a very beautiful rendition. Today, I was at Land's End in San Francisco for the annual commemoration at the USS San Francisco memorial. At the Battle of Guadalcanal, Admiral Daniel Callaghan (San Francisco native and graduate of St. Ignatius High School), took the San Francisco right into a fray with a larger Japanese squadron. His second in command, Cassin Young, told him, "This is suicide." Callaghan replied, "Yes, but we have to do it." The San Francisco took some big hits, and these two were among the many killed. The Allies won the battle, which was an important turning point in the war.
It was an honor to take part by handing out doughnuts and coffee and other goodies to the veterans and other participants (as part of a DAR volunteer hospitality crew). What valor.
You’ve done the near impossible....made me well up over a memory not my own. It’s fitting that on this Memorial Day I add Tommy to that unwritten long list of those who sacrificed for me.
I'll take that as the highest honor. I will tell you that I shed a few tears in writing it.
He must have graduated with my brother Hunter. You certainly painted a clear picture of his spirit and brought back many emotions of those lost in Viet Nam, so long ago, but still fresh in all of our minds.
I think Hunter graduated a year later. Thanks for the nice comments—as always.
What a memorial, Professor -- poignant and inspiring. His generosity of spirit earned him immortality; a lesson there, maybe.
Thanks for this.
It's one thing to talk about the sacrifices our veterans made for our freedoms.
It's another thing entirely to meet someone who lost a friend or a family member and has lived with that loss every day of their lives.
Mine came the day I met a man whose father was lost on the USS Indianapolis. He looked me in the eye and said: "I never knew my father."
Over the years I learned that as a result he knew more about his father than most of us do.
I also came to realize that you can never fully understand the loss and grief, but at least you can get a glimpse of what it cost them.
Robert - Thank you for this article. It is important to remember those young lives. KenMc
And thank you for the kind comments. The Indianapolis … wow. Few stories can match that one.
Yes, the USS Indianapolis CA-35 - a story that hopefully will be told again and again for generations to come. As of today - there is just one survivor still alive. Perhaps someday a movie will be made that tells the story.
That one scene in “Jaws” did a pretty effective job of summarizing it.
It certainly made the story of the Indy Maru a part of popular culture. I talked to one survivor who said he survived by making sure he didn't look like "bait".
Good life lesson ... and not just in the water.
Odd - I hadn't ever considered that but that is definitely good advice.
You're probably aware of it, but the story is well told in the book "In Harm's Way." (Completely unrelated to the John Wayne movie of the same name.)
It made me repent of my congenital Army brat disdain for sailors. When things go wrong on a ship they can go very wrong very fast, and there's nowhere to retreat to.
Nope. Didn’t know the book. Thanks for the recommendation. But your description certainly rings true.
My impression is that the Navy attracts kids who don't live near the ocean. (It was true for me.) - no clue about it. You are very correct - when things go bad, for the Indy Maru it was about 18 minutes. You're sleeping soundly on the deck one moment, 20 minutes later you are floating in a black ocean throwing up fuel oil and hoping the SOS went out. My pick for the Indy book is "Indianapolis" written by 2 women who together know more about the story than anyone ever will again. Sara Valdic, documentary film maker and Lynn Vincent, best selling author and US Navy Veteran.
On a ranch in New Mexico in1992, I spent time talking with the ranch manager, who was a retired Coast Guardsman. Did communications work on remote Pacific islands. Incredibly wise, self-educated man. I asked how he ended up on a ranch in New Mexico. He said, "You know how a sailor retires, don't you?" I said no. He said, "He walks down the gangplank with an oar over his shoulder and starts walking inland. When someone says 'What's that thing?' that's where he settles down." Someone told me recently that that is a literary reference, but I can't remember from where. (Maybe I'm repeating myself and you told me the source.)
I searched Google for "walks down the gangplank with an oar over his shoulder meaning" -- your Twitter comment came up 2nd (already). First was a reference to the "Winnowing Oar" and Odyssues.
That's a very beautiful rendition. Today, I was at Land's End in San Francisco for the annual commemoration at the USS San Francisco memorial. At the Battle of Guadalcanal, Admiral Daniel Callaghan (San Francisco native and graduate of St. Ignatius High School), took the San Francisco right into a fray with a larger Japanese squadron. His second in command, Cassin Young, told him, "This is suicide." Callaghan replied, "Yes, but we have to do it." The San Francisco took some big hits, and these two were among the many killed. The Allies won the battle, which was an important turning point in the war.
It was an honor to take part by handing out doughnuts and coffee and other goodies to the veterans and other participants (as part of a DAR volunteer hospitality crew). What valor.
I've driven a few times on ADM Callaghan Blvd in Vallejo and intended to look him up. (Recent transplant.). Thanks for clueing me in.
I fear we're running low on men like that these days.
Beautiful and inspiring story, Beth. Glad you could hand out the humble doughnuts and coffee. :)
Again, this year. I remember Tommy.
Again, thanks
And than you for that! Maybe I'll reissue it. All the best.