Family of Lewis E. Christian, Jr.

vsp569 · Newbie

Family of Lewis E. Christian, Jr.

Doug Christian · Member

Lewis Enoch Christian Jr. was my uncle (my Father's Brother). While the family members were still alive we were not able to find out much more than he had gone down with the Indianapolis. They were apparently hurt quite a bit by this event. My Grandmother till the day she died would always look at a sailor in uniform thinking it might be her son.
Any information that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

vsp569 · Newbie

Dear Doug,

I came across information about Lewis while doing an internet search for his name. Sometime back I came into possession of an item I think you might like to have. An old childhood friend of mine knew I had a small collection of military memorabilia and brought me a piece for my collection as he had no interest in keeping it. I would love for you to have it as I'm sure it would be special to you. I have your uncles Purple Heart and will be glad to send it to you at no cost. Let me assure you that this is not an internet scheme or joke. All I ask is that it doesn't get back to the man who gave it to me.

I was recently hospitalized and just released or would have responded to you sooner. Feel free to contact me on here or by phone if you have further questions and we can work out how I might get it to you.

John Thornburg - Virginia State Police - Master Trooper (Retired)
Phone 276-466-8519 or 276-451-6095.

Doug Christian · Member

Thank you from my family for your effort and consideration. Many people would not have been so considerate and shown the diligence you did. Your request will be honored. I hope your recovery goes well and swiftly.

We are grateful.

Doug.

ChristinaRez · Newbie

Doug,

I am the granddaughter of Margie Reed. She was engaged to your Uncle, Lewis Christian, at the time of his passing. It was great to see this while I was doing an internet search about him. :)

SurvivorsDaughter · Senior Member

What a great story! If you are interested in learning more about the USS Indianapolis and being in contact with other families, feel free to join the USS Indianapolis CA-35 Second Watch Facebook group or email me (I am the daughter of a survivor and current chairman) at BullardMBullard@aol.com to be added to the organizations email list.

Second Watch is an organization comprised of children, grandchildren, family, friends and supporters of the men of the USS Indianapolis. In the 1980's, when the Survivors themselves began facing their own demise, they turned to their children - the next generation - to perpetuate their story. They placed a vote, and unanimously decided to stand behind the 2nd Watch Organization and place that legacy in our hands. We are dedicated not only to ensuring that the sacrifices of the men of the Final Sailing Crew of the USS Indianapolis are never forgotten, we are also dedicated to the promotion of citizenship and patriotism and remembering what America is about.

Doug Christian · Member

I would like to talk or message with you sometime if possible. Was your Grandmother from Appalachia, Virginia? I think my cousin and I found out about your Grandmother a short while before she went to a nursing home in Kingsport. My female cousin talked with her on a phone just shortly before she passed away. We hate so much that we did not know about her much earlier. It would have been so good to talk to her about what our uncle was like. He was lost at sea 5 years before we were born and my family didn't talk much about him. I think they were really hurt over losing him. My Grandmother always tried to see the face any sailor in uniform as we believed that there was hope that L.E. made it thru the ordeal.

The person who gave the purple heart to us is quite a person as he did not have to do the research he did and offer to send us the purple heart and Mother's Star pin. He even paid for the postage and would not let us pay him back. He is a Vietnam Veteran and a good man. Most people would not have put the effort into trying to find family members.

I was glad to see your note.

SurvivorsDaughter · Senior Member

The Second Watch Organization, in honor of the 70th Anniversary of the Sinking, has also begun a flag program for those Lost At Sea. We are flying a flag over the USS Indianapolis Memorial in Indianapolis each day in that particular sailors memory. It is then lowered the next morning and sent to the family. If you would like more information about having a flag flown in your loved ones memory, feel free to contact me at BullardMBullard@aol.com or via the Facebook group "USS Indianapolis CA-35 Second Watch"

cathyvknight · Newbie

Dear Doug,

My mother is a first cousin of "LE" and I only found out a couple of years ago about him. I have since read about this event in order to learn about him and what happened. I was recently going through some papers of hers and found his photo in a genealogy book for the Caldwell family. I was surprised that he was only 26 y/o when this happened. I would be happy to send you a copy of the photo or the page(s) about him, but you may have actually been the one to provide it for the book anyway. I'm not sure how to contact you without posting private information here (which I'd prefer not to do). Perhaps my mother has your contact information somewhere that I may end up finding. I was so moved when I found out about this tragedy. As you may know, my mother and father both worked at Oak Ridge where components for the atomic bomb were made, and which were delivered by this ship to use on Japan. Perhaps that's why I feel such a connection and became so interested. Take care, and the best to you and your family.

Cathy Knight (Richmond, VA area)

Doug Christian · Member

My e-mail is dougc@chartertn.net. Please feel free to contact me.