The Discovery Channel has been advertising for about a month now "Ocean of Fear: Worst Shark Attack Ever" for their much anticipated Shark Week. I wanted to learn more about the USS Indianapolis before watching the special and found your website. The website is a nice tribute to the crew of the Indianapolis and very well done. I read every page of it. I have so much respect for the men and women who serve this country. I hope the Discovery special does right by the survivors and crew that was lost. I look forward to watching it. My heart goes out to the survivors and the families of those that have since passed.

I promised to bring pepperoni sticks and a strawberry shake to survivor Gene Morgan when I go to his house to watch this program with him on Sunday. I'll let you know what he says about it (the show, not the treats).

We too have been hearing the Discovery Channel advertising about "Ocean of Fear: Worst Shark Attack Ever" for the past month. But I wanted to boys (I have 13 year old twins that I home school) to learn more about this event in our history than just the sharks, thus we "googled" the USS Indianapolis and found this site. As a granddaughter & daughter in law to 2 wonder Navy men (Jay Eppes Mabry & John Joseph Skourup) I wanted our sons to know the courage and honor that are deserving of all military men and women who endure experiences beyond our comprehension ~ so that we remain free. I too hope and pray that Discovery does right by the special. Thank you for the information on your site and look forward to learning more as this week goes on. Always, C Skourup

I have been counting down the days. The pepperoni sticks and a strawberry shake sound yummy :)

I was so psyched about this special for shark week that I googled the uss indianapolis and found this site and it definetely made an impact on me I read everything in here and Im just glad of the efforts that many persons did. Before I read this I had truly NO idea that any of this happened, anyways ya'll take care and I hope lots of people visit this site, Veronica

Please let us know what your survivor friend thought of
the documentary. Please tell him that I have full respect
for him and the other survivors and God bless him and
his family. We will never forget men like him. His bravery
will not go unnoticed in heaven.

After watching the DC show I remember telling me that I had a uncle who survived the sinking.  After going to the Crew List web I found his name.
MAKAROFF, Chester J., GM3*, a survivor.  I have read several books about the 'Indy" but show really brought home what the crew went through.  I really understand why some never spoke of this horror.  Thank you for what you and your shipmates gave to this country.  God Bless all of you.

A sobering and wrenching reminder of how so very much can go wrong in a few minutes' time.

May those of us who watched this documentary never forget those who passed through horror.

And may those of us who watched always remember those like Captain McVey and his officers and crew, who stood their watch under such terrible circumstances.

Being the history buff that I am and also the neice of a Navy man (USS Bunker Hill) my 12 year old daughter told me about the Oceans of Fear show that was going to be on the Discovery Channel.  I already had the book "Left for Dead" by Pete Nelson with a preface by Hunter Scott, but hadn't started it yet.  We marked it on the calendar to watch together (twice).  We watched in utter awe as we matched up photos from our book with the heros telling their stories.  I've just finished the book and can't wait to read more on this subject.  It's truly such a tragedy for all involved.  My daughter and I will continue to read as much as we possible can on the Indianapolis and other military topics so that she will understand how and why our Men and Women fight for our Freedom each and every day.  Something no one should ever take for granted.  She and I are researching the USS Bunker Hill tragedy from what my Uncle (Perley J. Lee, Bangor Maine) had left behind, shipboard diary, newspapers articles and stories.  More needs to be told about WWII and other wars to our younger generation.  They should never be forgotten.

Thank you Men, for telling your stories to us, so that we may pass them on for generations to come.  Thank you for your service to our wonderful country.


Cheryl

fireBob57 and SurvivorsDaughter - Thanks so much for responding. I appreciated the suggestions. fireBob57 - I did go to the library last night for several hours of research and did take out "In Harms Way. I'm sure I'll find it just as compellling as you have and I know tears will be shed. thanks. SurvivorsDaughter - I didn't see that book in the library last night. I was looking for it. However, I think I'd rather buy the book from the Organization now. I hope your Dad contributed his story. I told my 12 year old daughter about possibly getting it autographed by Mike Kuryla and she was very excited. I don't know why, but she's liked him from the first time she set eyes on his young photo. I think that would make a great 13th Birthday gift. The autograph from someone she admires as a Hero. We are both very much interested in our History and passing on what we learn. I'm in the process of gathering my Uncles shipboard diary, photos and trinkets from his years on the USS Bunker Hill so that I can publish them for others to read. He has a lot he's saved. But tt's hard research. I found a few photos at the library taken of their bombings (5/11/45) and mentions of their losses. The Navy really burries things as we've seen. Not much about the Bunker Hill considering they lost over 300 men. A Naval monument is being unveiled at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetary in Boscawen, NH on Sept. 23, 2007. My Aunt and I discovered this cemetary didn't have a Naval monument on the grounds (it had every other branch of the service though). Through my Aunts hard work raising donations and awareness from the general public and American Legion Post she's managed to get the monument purchased and will be dedicated to our Heros.

Cheryl,
Another book that your daughter might enjoy is from the We The People series titled The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis by Marc Tyler Nobleman.   It is written for younger readers and gives a good introduction of the story to the kids.  I purchased several through amazon.com but it may be available in libraries as well.  It was just published earlier this year, so hopefully you will have luck finding it. 

Left for Dead is also an excellent book for younger readers.   Hunter Scott is a great kid (now a young man in the Navy himself!) and a neat role model for kids.   His contribution to the history of the USS Indianapolis is remarkable as well.   The Survivors all love him!

Does anyone know if "Ocean of Fear: Worst Shark Attack Ever" is available to buy? I watched it on Discovery Channel when it aired, and it was the first time that I had heard of the USS Indianapolis. Since I watched it, I have read Doug Stanton's "In Harm's Way", and am about to read "Left for Dead".

I would just like to thank all of the survivors for sharing their stories. They are incredible, and unforgettable. God bless!

I use the book Left for Dead in my 7th grade gifted curriculum. I am always touched by the way the kids show such interest in and compassion for the men. I would really like for my 7th graders to be able to communicate with any of the survivors who would be willing to email or even possibly visit our class. I am also interested in contacting Hunter Scott if at all possible, as his story is compelling as well! Anyone who can assist me with this contact information will be greatly appreciated!

Trish,

My sister Kim (ww2kim on this board) and I travel the country doing a wonderful presentation she developed to students of Junior High age, High School and College and for various community groups and the General Public. It is an informative and emotional presentation which my sister does so well (I assist with the audio/visual and question/answer portion.) It is something you may want to consider for an all school assembly, which is the format that usually works best and it is so important that these men share their stories while they still can.

You would be amazed at the reception these men get from the students, as well as staff members, who were unaware of this harrowing true story and my sister has a wonderful connection with the audience, the kids will understand why this is important (what these men did) to them today. For without these men delivering the bomb components many of the kids would not be here today. Their grandfathers would have most likely been killed had we had to invade the mainland of Japan.

If you look at the last section of this board there is a section called Information for Students and Teachers, in it you will find more information about our presentation and a testimonial about it from a son of a survivor (who should know if we are factual and accurate in our portrayal) who has seen our presentation twice.

As for Hunter Scott, he is a remarkable young man, who is currently undergoing flight training at Pensacola Naval Air Station. My sister has his contact information if you'd like to contact her she may be able to help you.

I hope that helps, thanks for sharing their stories with your students!

Deone

Thank you so much!!! I will check into your program later on today. I know my students would be thrilled at the opportunity to see and hear for themselves from these wonderful men and their families.

Deone,

I'm just checking back with you about the program coming to our school. I haven't heard  from your sister yet, but I know how busy all of our schedules can be! I would really like to schedule a visit if at all possible. Could you help me with this? If not, I'll try to contact your sister again. Thanks so much! Trish