Hey AFangel. Hang in there, girl. No need to blame today's Navy for what happened to these WWII sailors. My Dad, an 18 yr. old Radioman and one of the Survivors of the sinking, was on his first cruise when, as he later described it, "the Indy abandoned me". Dad was from Alabama, and after WWII he was discharged like most of the Survivors, but tried unsuccessfully to get back in after about 2 years as a civilian. It wasn't until the Korean War started that they let him back in. He asked his recruiter only one favor...that he serve anyplace except Japan. He told me 7 weeks later he was standing in Japan. Dad went on to serve in Korea and Vietnam, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Norfolk, Va, in July 1969. I believe he was one of the few Indy crewman/Survivors to stay in the Navy and retire. I also believe he was one of the only, if not the only, to marry a Japanese national. My mother, Toyoko Inoue Belcher, took care of him and us three sons for 46 years of marriage, until his passing in May 2001. Dad never had a bad word to say about the Navy in general, except maybe for some real displeasure at the leadership late in the Vietnam conflict. He never blamed the Navy for the court martial, but rather directed his anger at Admiral King and some others who escaped blame and allowed Capt. McVay to take the blame "for the good of the Navy". I served in the US Air Force in the mid-late 70's, and Dad never encouraged me to bail to the Navy, nor discouraged me by speaking badly about the Navy. He was a true, old time CPO. Being raised in his house made basic training a breeze for me. So if you think you can do some good in the Navy, don't let the Indy incident change that...my Dad wouldn't have advised that. In fact, I'm sure he would have encouraged you to serve...just serve...any branch. He would have been proud of you just for serving, as he was me. Thank you for your service. Just keep the Kan-du attitude. Regards. Sgt James R. Belcher, Jr. USAF 76-80