My uncle, Osceola "Red" Scanlan was on watch at the time of the sinking.  He states that he was at "sky forward".  He states that he was knocked to the deck with the first hit and again with the second.  When he was able to get on his feet he said the bow was gone, the decks awash, and he abandoned ship, he was one of many with only a Kapok life jacket( cork filled, porous, good for about 3 days of floatation).   It would be nice to hear from any who knew him and had stories to tell.   My brother and I have a long standing argument as to where this watch station-Sky forward- was located would really like to know it's location if anyone can say. 

If we are recalling the name correctly, Red Scanlan was from New Orleans, right?   I believe he was a friend of my father's on board ship who is also a survivor from N.O. (Harold Eck).   

Yes He was from New Orleans. My dad was active with the survivors groups but he passed in Feb. 05. I am interested in picking up where he left off, as well as doing what I can to honor the sacrifice of all our veterans. I have always felt it was a same that the tragedy of the Indy was lost till a line from a movie drew attention to her story.