Death of Survivor Giles McCoy

SurvivorsDaughter · Senior Member

Death of Survivor Giles McCoy

SurvivorsDaughter · Senior Member

Here is a picture of Giles from a recent visit to the USS Indianapolis Memorial. How blessed I was to be standing there with him and his fellow survivor and dear friend Mike Kuryla.

usskittyhawk · Member

It's very sad hearing about the most famous survivor (aside from Captain Charles McVay III) dying. I hope he and others like him are never forgotten, when they try and preserve the memories of events such as the Indy and her death along with so many young men with lives ahead of them.

SurvivorsDaughter · Senior Member

In Indianapolis, on August 22, 2009. A crowd estimated at between 250-300 people were in attendance for a special military memorial program to honor Giles G. "Doc" McCoy held at the USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35) National Memorial.

Giles G. McCoy is remembered as one of the Founders of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization, and its leader for thirty-five years. McCoy also led a thirty five year effort to get the Memorial built and the ship's Captain, Charles B. McVay's name and reputation restored, by having the Navy reverse a military court marshal's finding of guilty of hazarding his vessel, (the USS Indianapolis) by failing to zigzag the ship.

McCoy lived and worked most of his adult life to achieve both goals. McCoy passed away on April 30. Both goals reached.

The Memorial Service was requested by Betty McCoy, Giles' widow, and the McCoy family. Working together, CDR Pat Finneran, USN, SgtMaj Santos Magana, USMC and Ms. Marcia Mackey made the necessary arrangements with the Indiana World War Memorials Commission, J. Stewart Goodwin, Brigadier General, IN ANG Executive Director.

Primary speakers were the Mayor of Indianapolis, Gregory A. Ballard, himself a retired Marine LtCol., Mr. Tom Applegate, Indiana Director of Veterans Affairs, who read a personal message from Governor Mitchell E. Daniels.

CAPT Don Steel, USN delivered his own eulogy and also read that of CAPT. Jim Holds, USN. Both having served as presidents of the Memorial Organization. In addition, CDR Finneran read personal messages from Senator Richard G. Lugar and former Congressman Andrew Jacobs, Jr.

Douglas Stanton author of "In Harm's Way" and "The Horse Soldiers" spoke of his remembrances of working with "Doc" McCoy.

Life long friend and co-worker to build the memorial survivor Mike Kuryla spoke of his fond memories of his friend.

Captain Ronald F. Reimer, USNR led the Invocation and the Benediction.

In the picture below, Giles' wife was presented with the Flag of the United State of America which flew over the USS Indianapolis Memorial, and his grandson, a United States Marine, was presented with the Marine Corps flag which also few over the Memorial.

SgtMaj Magana and his wife Julie who lead the Young Marines of Central Indiana, arranged to have the Indianapolis Young Marines provide both military and logistic support. CDR. Charles R. Ridings, CO, NOSC Indianapolis, provided navy and marine personnel to assist in the program.

It was a loving and fitting tribute to this great American hero and friend.

tstefanick · Newbie

I have no ties to any of the men on the USS Indianapolis other than the four days I just spent reading "In Harm's Way." I had no idea this great calamity had even taken place. The injustices served on Charles Butler McVay, III were horrendous. In the beginning, when he commited suicide, I wasn't really moved. By the end, when I had spent four days floating in the South Pacific with him and his men, I cried. He really was a great man.

I felt Giles McCoy was someone I knew as a friend by story's end. It is wonderful that he started the reunions for the survivors. I can't even imagine the bond they must have between them or the PTSD they've all suffered with for nearly 70 years. And to think of the many years they have dealt with this before it was a recognized disorder.

Anyway, my hat is off and my heart is humbled for the men/boys who succumbed or survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. You are all heroes.

SurvivorsDaughter · Senior Member

Dr McCoy was an amazing man. Thank you for your kind words. We are forever grateful to Doug Stanton for his account of the story. It has been shared by so many, and therefore the memory lives on.