lt. (rev.) thomas m. conway navy cross final pdf

7/21/2019 Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway Navy Cross Final PDF

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/lt-rev-thomas-m-conway-navy-cross-final-pdf 1/77



7/22/2013 - Honoring The Service And Sacrifice of Lt.Rev. Thomas M. Conway

On Friday, July 19, 2013, U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy, joined by fellow U.S.Senator Richard Blumenthal and Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary, announced that he issponsoring and submitting a Senate Resolution to Honor the Service and Sacrifice of

Waterburian Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, Chaplain, USS Indianapolis, which wassunk on July 30, 1945. By calming and supporting his men, and praying for those lost,and by giving his men strength, the actions of Chaplain Lt. Conway resulted in over 300survivors being rescued from the water. The Waterbury Veterans Memorial Committeehas requested that the sacrifice of Waterburian Lt. Conway be recognized with theNavy Cross for his heroic actions after the sinking of his ship. This year marks the 68th

Anniversary of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis.

/end



Table of ContentsDocumentation supporting United States Senate Resolution No. 197

113th CONGRESS, 1st Session

Recommending the posthumous award of the Navy Cross toLieutenant Thomas Michael Conway of Waterbury, Connecticut.

Section I - Applicant!s Letters Letters from family members requesting the Navy Cross be awarded to Lt. (Rev.)Thomas M. Conway

Section II - Introduction, Narrative and History Background, history, and recognition of Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway through the yearsincluding the reason Father Conway was not previously recommended for this award

Section III - Sworn Oral Testimony and Exhibits 1 through 6 Eyewitness testimony taken from USS Indianapolis Survivors on Saturday, July 26,2014 which support his survival beyond 30 July 1945

Section IV - Eyewitness Reports and Published Accounts - Historical Various published reports, books, and statements concerning Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M.Conway and his actions after the sinking

Section V - Letters of Support and Petitions from USS Indianapolis Survivors, family

members, and USS Indianapolis Lost at Sea crew families Previously unpublished letters from survivors and families of crew members

Section VI - Photographs of Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway from the Alfred SediviArchive, U.S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, MD Photographs from the Alfred Sedivi Archive showing Father Conway aboard the USSIndianapolis (CA-35)

Section VII - References and Bibliography Books, magazines, and articles published about Father Conway.

/end



Section IApplicant!s

Letters

Letters from family members

requesting the

Navy Cross

be awarded to

Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway



Joan Conway

1083 Vine St. #282

Healdsburg, CA 9544

August 21, 2014

The Honorable Ray Mabus

Secretary of the Navy

1000 Navy Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20350-1000

RE: USN Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, Chaplain, USS Indianapolis (CA-35)Application for the posthumous award of the Navy Cross

Dear Secretary Mabus,

By this letter, I am an applicant for the family of Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, Chaplain, USS

Indianapolis (CA-35). Father Conway was my uncle. (My father, William John Conway, deceased,

was his brother.) Father Conway has no surviving spouse, children, brothers or sisters.

I believe that Father Conway's actions were heroic and should be considered for the Navy Cross.

The attached application describes his heroism in detail.

Sincerely,

Joan Conway

/jc

enc



Michael Conway

607 Maple Street Aptos, California 95003

25 Aug 2014



1000 Navy Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20350-1000

RE: USN Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, Chaplain, USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

Application for the posthumous award of the Navy Cross


By this letter, I am an applicant for the family of Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, Chaplain, USS

Indianapolis (CA-35). Father Conway is/was my uncle, my father’s only brother. Father Conway has no

surviving spouse, children, brothers or sisters.

I believe that Father Conway's actions were heroic and should be considered for the Navy Cross.

I was never able to meet my Uncle Tom (Father Conway) but my father spoke of him often. Ifeel Father Conway was the most influential person in my father’s life. My father raised six children in

accordance to what he believed his brother would have approved. Shortly before my father died he had

my mother bring him a book that had a passage about Father Conway. I believe it was titled “Fatal

Voyage - the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis”. He pointed out the passage about Father Conway and

had me read it. He said, “that was my brother” and I replied “I know”. I think it was important for him

to know that I remembered his brother, Father Conway. I have made a point of telling my 2 sons about

Father Conway and we have a photo of him and his Purple Heart in a display case in our living room. I

am the youngest child in my family and now I am 51 years old. Some of my siblings have passed on but

it is important that the memory of my uncle lives on.

Sincerely,

Michael Conway

/end



August 28, 2014



1000 Navy PentagonWashington, D.C. 20350-1000

RE: USN Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, Chaplain, USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

Application for the posthumous award of the Navy Cross


By this letter, the family of Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, Chaplain, USS Indianapolis (CA-35) supportsthe awarding of the Navy Cross to Father Conway. Father Conway is Father Conway has no survivingspouse, children, brothers or sisters. Father Conway's mother and mine were sisters, and I believe Iam one of his closest surviving family members. When he visited us in Waterbury in the early 40s, hestayed at our house, and plans were made before his untimely death that I would attend CanisiusCollege in Buffalo. Later I went on to Holy Cross and Harvard and have been in academia ever since,

I believe that Father Conway should be considered for the Navy Cross because of his service to hisshipmates after their ship was sunk. By all accounts, and with the supporting documentation preparedby the Waterbury Veterans Memorial Committee pursuant to Senate Resolution No. 197, FatherConway#s extraordinary service continued until he expired on 2 August 1945.

The family would be honored to accept this Navy Cross on behalf of Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway,should you look favorably on this application. I know that you will give this application your closestreview and, upon reading this, and examining the documentation provided, it will be clear that Father

Conway performed his service to his shipmates in the presence of great danger and at great personalrisk and was performed in such a manner as to render him highly conspicuous among others of equalgrade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility.

I thank you for your consideration of this application, and look forward to your favorable reply.

Sincerely,

Howard Clarke, Ph.D

Professor Emeritus of ClassicsUniversity of California, Santa Barbara

/end



Section IIIntroduction,

Narrative, and

History



Introduction, Narrative, and HistoryLt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, KIA 2 August 1945Chaplain, USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

Executive Summary Since the loss of the USS Indianapolis on 30 July 1945, much has been written about the menwho survived the sinking. Every account of that event describes the bravery and service of one man,Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, Chaplain. Every book published, every magazine printed, tell thestory of how Father Conway gave them hope, brought them together, and how his actions helpedthem survive. We are aware that the Captain, Charles McVay, made no recommendation in hisletters of recommended posthumous awards to James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, dated 8September 1945, and in his letter for awards dated 5 September 1945. It is clear why this is so -Captain McVay, separated by miles of ocean, believed that Father Conway died immediately whenthe ship was sunk. That fact is proved in the USN Official 1948 History of the Chaplain#s Corpwhich states that Father Conway died 30 July 1945 and excepts a letter from the Captain stating assuch. This application contains testimony and evidence that Father Conway continued his work asa Chaplain for over 3 days, until he expired 2 August 1945 in the arms of Capt.(M D) Lewis Haynes.

We strongly believe that the actions of Father Conway are comparable to the actions ofCDR George S. Rentz, Chaplain, USS Houston (CA-30), recipient of the Navy Cross and that suchan award should be made posthumously to Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway.

Introduction and History July 30, 2014 was the 69th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). In 2001,Doug Stanton#s “In Harm's Way”, an account of the events surrounding the sinking of the cruiser in thefinal days of World War II, was published. At the time, reviewers characterized the book as the latest

entry in what has become a race against time for those who would preserve the events of the warthrough the memories of the people who fought it. One of the readers of that book was USN Lt. (Rev.)John J. Bevins (Ret.), Pastor of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury, Connecticut.Serving for 22 years as a Navy Chaplain, Father Bevins approached the Waterbury Veterans MemorialCommittee and asked that we research the sacrifice of Father Conway. The quest became aremarkable example of how easily the stories and events, though preserved in the minds and hearts offamily and friends, are lost to the historical consciousness of our communities. But it is also anextraordinary example of how being inspired by the compassion, selflessness and sacrifice ofindividuals like Fr. Conway, can promote collaborative efforts to preserve and promote awareness ofthose who serve our families, communities and our nation.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYkuQ1LnvsI/UBWXAk5n0UI/AAAAAAAABQE/wbZReV30ifo/s1600/2+USS-INDIANAPOLIS.jpg



















Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, a 37-year-old Navy Chaplain from Buffalo, New York, wassleeping soundly on 30 July 1945 (Monday), on board the USS Indianapolis, a heavy cruiser. At 12:14a.m. the first torpedo from the Japanese submarine, I-58, blew away the bow of the ship. An instantlater the second struck near midship on the starboard side, the resulting explosion split the ship to thekeel, knocking out all electric power. Within 12 minutes the unescorted cruiser slipped beneath thesurface of the Philippine Sea, midway between Guam and Leyte Gulf. Of 1,197 men on board,approximately 880 men made it into the water. Few life rafts were released; the majority of the survivors

wore the standard kapok life jacket and life belts. The ship was never missed, and by the time thesurvivors were spotted by accident four days later, only 317 men were still alive.

Over the years there have been many books and articles published about the greatest navaldisaster after Pearl Harbor. Among the survivors several men were awarded commendations for theirheroic actions. Father Conway was not not among them as the raft of the Captain was separated bymiles of open ocean from the largest group of survivors, the “swimmers” led by Capt. (MD) LewisHaynes and Lt. Conway. For three nights Fr. Conway, swam to the aid of his shipmates, reassuring theincreasingly dehydrated and delirious men with prayers until he himself expired, the last Catholicchaplain to die in WWII. Like many stories of heroism, Fr. Conway was commemorated in simple waysamong his friends and shipmates. As time moves on, and generations passaway, many stories of history are lost, and sometimes they arerediscovered.

Fr. Conway was born on 5 Apr 1908, in Waterbury, Conn. He wasthe oldest of three children born to Irish immigrants, Thomas F. andMargaret (Meade). Fr. Conway attended Lasalette Junior Seminary, inHartford, Conn. In 1928, he enrolled at Niagara University (New York) andreceived an A.B. degree in 1930. On 8 Jun 8 1931, Conway enrolled inOur Lady of Angels Seminary, on the campus of Niagara University. On 26May 1934, he was ordained to the priesthood for the diocese of Buffalo,N.Y., in St. Michael#s Cathedral, Springfield, Mass. For the next eight yearsFr. Conway served as a curate in the parishes of St. Rose of Lima, AllSaints, St. Teresa, St. Nicholas and finally St. Brigid. Former parishionersrecall that Fr. Conway#s favorite pastime was to navigate Lake Erie in hislittle sailboat, a common sight parked along side the rectory during theweek. He is remembered as a “man#s man” – a priest in touch with andsympathetic to the blue-collar realities of his parishioners living among theErie Canal neighborhoods.

On 17 Sep 1942, Fr. Conway enlisted in U.S. Navy, commissioneda chaplain. A few days before leaving on active duty, Fr. Conway recordeda voice message on a 78 rpm recorder to Mary Noe. The Noe#s had become both family and home toFr. Conway. Mary had eight children, one of whom was also a Buffalo priest, and in the recording hereferred to her as $Ma.# The recording, though scratched and distorted, preserves most of his farewellmessage prefaced with a song, “Well, Ma, your Sailor Boy is going to dedicate a very special number toyou, a very, very special mom. I#d like you to excuse the singing. It#s not so hot. Remember, it is alwaysthe thought behind it that counts!” Fr. Conway sings two verses of the song I Threw a Kiss into the

Ocean, by Irving Berlin for the U.S. Navy Relief: “I spoke last night to the ocean spoke last night to thesea And from the ocean a voice came back $Twas my Blue Jacket answering me Ship Ahoy, ship ahoy Ican hear you, Sailor Boy I spoke last night to the ocean I spoke last night to the sea And from theocean a voice came back $Twas my true love answering me” “Well Ma, how#d you like it?” asks Fr.Conway, “I#ve wrote I#ve missed you when I#m gone and now I#m going to miss you again. So, don#tmiss me. I#ll be back. Remember me in your prayers and I#ll remember you in mine. So goodbye mom.”Fr. Conway served at naval stations along the East Coast and in 1943 was transferred to the Pacific.For several months he served on the USS Medusa, and on 25 Aug 1944, Fr. Conway was assigned tothe USS Indianapolis.

Fr. Conway on the bridgUSS Indianapolis

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8EBF5qoQoz8/UBWVnipOO7I/AAAAAAAABP0/3LQ9QicnNLo/s1600/6+Conway+on+Bridge+Final.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8EBF5qoQoz8/UBWVnipOO7I/AAAAAAAABP0/3LQ9QicnNLo/s1600/6+Conway+on+Bridge+Final.jpg



On 31 March 1945 the USSIndianapolis took part in operations against theJapanese Home Islands. While off Okinawashe was hit by a kamikaze bomb, whichfortunately exploded after passing through thebottom of the hull. Because of the damage theship lay anchored off Okinawa for five days,

during which time the Japanese continued totry to sink the USS Indianapolis. Nine crewmembers were killed in action during thisbattle. Finally she was able to limp to the USnaval base at Ulithi, a nearby atoll. After herhull was mended she was dispatched acrossthe Pacific to Mare Island, near San Franciscofor further repairs. One of the sailors killed inthe kamikaze attack was Earl Peter Procai.

On 10 April 1945 while sailing to MareIsland, Fr. Conway wrote to the sailor'sparents, “Dear Mr. Procai, the Navy

Department has already informed you that yourson Earl Peter Procai was killed in action onthe morning of the 31st of March. It is my sadduty to add to this brief statement whateverdetails military security allows and to give you my sincere sympathy for the loss of your boy. The blowwhich struck your son killed him instantly. As soon as he was hit two men carried him out of the

damaged compartment. War doctors examined him at once buthe was beyond any assistance they could give. We carried hisbody down to the sick bay, encased in a canvas burial shroudand then placed in a wooded coffin. We buried him thatafternoon. His flag draped coffin was placed on the quarterdeckand in the presence of Admiral R. A. Spruance, Commander ofthe Fifth Fleet, his staff and the ship#s entire company; I readthe prayers over him. Six men from his division acted asbearers. They were Jimmy Wakefield, S2c of Tulsa, Okla., FredHarrison of Waterbury, Conn., Jimmy French S1c of SanFrancisco, Cal., Vincent Allard QM3c of Omak, Wash., RobertOwens QM3 c of Kingsport, Tenn., and William Burt of Boise,Idaho.

They carried his him into a small boat alongside. TheMarine firing squad fired three volleys and the ship#s buglersounded taps. We buried him in the American Cemetery onone of the small islands of the Pacific. The flag which draped

his coffin is being sent to you and you should receive it soon.Your son was one of the most well liked and respected menaboard this ship. Everyone from the Commanding Officer downto the men in his division thought and spoke very highly of him.He was always cheerful and willing and devoted to his duties

and we will all miss him very much. Our loss however will be small compared to the loss you will feel alosing such a wonderful boy. His country is proud of him and shall never forget what he contributed toher. The memory of his courageous sacrifice will never fade and to and to us who knew him it shall everbe an inspiration and an encouragement to carry on the work that still needs to be done. I hope you willfind some consolation in the thought that when this war shall end and peace and happiness will once

Fr. Conway leading ecumenical prayer service

Fr. Conway parish priestDiocese of Buffalo

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DybBMHQ0EtI/UBWOskh9LpI/AAAAAAAABNI/5eN4EAFwyZY/s1600/Fr+Thomas+M.+Conway+1942.png.jpg
















http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQZCP0o5O60/UBWSxT_sj7I/AAAAAAAABPA/5QtAeg_WVaM/s1600/3+Conway+Leading+Prayer.jpg



























more come to the world, you will remember that you before all other have paid the greatest priceanyone could pay, for you have given your son and no one can do more than this. I pray and hope thatAlmighty God in His Goodness will give you the strength to bear up under this severe loss and I knowHe will be most generous with you who have been so generous with others. May He help and bless youand your family.”

Melvin W. Modisher, a survivor and Jr. Medical Officer onboard the USS Indianapolis, recallingthe kamikaze attacked and Fr. Conway#s chaplaincy at the time stated, “The day before D-Day on

Okinawa, the Indianapolis was hit by a kamikaze killing 9 of the crew and injuring a couple of dozenothers. The ship cold not be repaired on site and had to return to California for major repairs. Fr.Conway spent the entire repair period traveling across the country visiting the families of all 9 who hadbeen killed telling how they had been buried at Sea, etc. He did this on his own time and at his expenserather than spend time with his own family and friends. This is a small example of the kind of Love andDevotion he displayed for others.”

On 26 April a week sailing from Mare Island, Fr. Conway wrote a sailor#s ditty for the ship#snewsletter, the Wigwam. The simple verses expressed the unspoken love, valor and sacrifice of thecrew. Fr. Conway prefaced the ditty, “We are now under way for Mare Island, Valley Joe and pointseast. We expect to go under the bridge on the morning of the 2nd, next Wednesday at 0800. Stand byto man the golden gate And swing it open too For standing in the bay today Is the cruiser Indy Maru.Steaming along on two screws and a prayer With half her boilers

cold The Indy Maru#s been thru the wars And looks a little old.She#s hit the nip north and south The mighty cruiser Indy Maru AtTokio and Iwo And Okinawa too. Thru freezing cold and tropic heatAnd kamikazes too And Nippon#s shells and bombs and fish Hascomes the Indy Maru. So break out your blues and shine yourshoes The Indy Maru-is here - They'll double the shore patrol Andraise the price of beer, For months your wives have waited For thecruiser Indy Maru So take along your dog tag To prove that you areyou. Frisco's seen some great ships But the greatest it ever knewIs that tootin# shootin# cruiser The fighting Indy Maru.

When repairs were complete, the ship was ordered to carryto Tinian Island the trigger and radioactive core of the atom bombdestined to be dropped on Hiroshima. Under Captain CharlesButler McVay III, it sailed from Farallon Light at San Francisco toDiamond Head on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in a record 74.5hours. Stopping briefly for fuel at Pearl Harbor, the USSIndianapolis proceeded to Tinian, reaching it on 26 July. Afterdischarging its top-secret cargo, the ship, with a crew of 1,196, leftfor Guam and then Leyte in the Philippines, which had been liberated only a few weeks before. It wasto join the American invasion fleet bound for Japan. 30 July 1945, was a typical Sunday for Fr. Conway.He celebrated the Catholic Mass and later conducted a Protestant service. It was known that Fr.Conway could usually be found in the ship#s library or his room for confession or just someone to talkto. A few minutes past midnight Fr. Conway was bobbing among the burning oil, debris, chaos and

voices of the 900 survivors. Fr. Conway's actions are vividly recalled by several of the survivors.

Frank J. Centazzo recently wrote, “Father Conway was in every way a messenger of our Lord.He loved his work no matter what the challenge. He was respected and loved by all his shipmates. Iwas in the group with Father Conway. ... I saw him go from one small group to another. Getting theshipmates to join in prayer and asking them not to give up hope of being rescued. He kept working untilhe was exhausted. I remember on the third day late in the afternoon when he approached me and PaulMcGiness. He was thrashing the water and Paul and I held him so he could rest a few hours. Later, hemanaged to get away from us and we never saw him again. Father Conway was successful in hismission to provide spiritual strength to all of us. He made us believe that we would be rescued. He gaveus hope and the will to endure. His work was exhausting and he finally succumbed in the evening of the



third day. He will be remembered by all of the survivors for all of his work while on board the $Indy# andespecially three days in the ocean.”

Lewis L. Haynes, Captain, Medical Corps, USN, recalled in an article for the Saturday EveningPost (Aug. 6, 1955) (Exhibit 2), “All thoughts of rescue are gone, and our twisted reasoning has cometo accept this as our life until the end is reached. A life with nothing but the sky, a shimmering horizonand endless wastes of water. Beyond this we dare not imagine…But we have not lost everything. To thecontrary, we have found one comfort - a strong belief to which we cling. God seems very close. Much of

our feeling is strengthened by the chaplain, who moves from one group to another to pray with the men.The chaplain, a priest, is not a strong man physically, yet his courage and goodness seem to have nolimit. I wonder about him, for the night is particularly difficult and most of us suffer from chills, fever anddelirium. The moon has been up for some time when I hear a cry for help. It is Mac, the sailor who hasgiven so much to so many. When I swim to him, Mac is supporting the chaplain, who is delirious."Doctor - you'll just have to relieve me for awhile!" Mac gasps. "I - I can't hold him any longer!" I take thechaplain from him; thrust my arm through the chaplain's life jacket so that I may hold him securelythrough his wild thrashing. Then I look around for Mac, for I know he needs help. He is completelyexhausted, his head forward, his nose in the water. Mac! Mac! I call. There is no answer - and the last Isee of Mac is his head sinking lower and lower as he drifts away in the moonlight. The chaplain#sdelirium mounts; his struggles almost too much for me. He cries a strange gibberish – some of thewords are Latin – but in a little while he sinks into a coma. The only sound is the slap of water against

us as I wait for the end. When it comes, the moon is high, golden overhead. I say a prayer and let himdrift away, along the path to follow Mac.”

Fr. William F. Frawley, was a chaplain at Base Hospital #20, Peleliu Island where the majority ofsurvivors were taken for medical attention. Though there was a government news blackout about theincident, Fr. Frawley wrote a letter to Archdiocese of Military Services (AMS), dated August 5, one dayafter the rescue. He wrote, “The true facts concerning the death of Fr. Thomas Conway…He along withabout eight hundred others, got off the ship intothe water when the explosions occurred. Onthe evening of the third day in the water,completely exhausted, he drowned. All thesurvivors who were brought to our BaseHospital have the highest praise for him. Theyreport that he had been aboard the cruiser forthe past year; that he had done much toimprove the ship#s facilities; that he treated thepersonnel indiscriminately, devoting as muchattention as possible to the non-Catholics; thaton the Sunday preceding the disaster two messhalls were needed to take care of the overflowcrowd at general services; that he spoke on theparable of the Pharisee and publican, likeningthem to two sailors appearing before thecaptain of the ship; that, while in the water he

went about from group to group organizingprayer groups ... Fr. Conway spent his leaveflying to the homes of nine boys who had beenkilled by a suicide plane which struck the ship near Okinawa (that is the reason the ship was on its wayfrom the States. It had been reconditioned and left the States on 16 July and was hit somewherebetween Guam and Leyte on 30 July at 0010.) ...”

Many books about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis have referenced Fr. Conway. In his book,“In Harm#s Way”, author Doug Stanton wrote, “The boys usually confided in Father Conway. During thebattles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, most of them had been scared out of their wits. ... As the kamikazesdove at the ships, the boys cried out from their battle stations for the kind priest. ... Fr. Conway, in his



early thirties, was relentless and fearless in his duty. Once, while saying Mass, battle stations had beencalled suddenly, and the astute Father shouted out, $Bless us all, boys! And give them hell!# The boysloved him for this. He was a priest, it was true, but he was a priest with grit. ... Conway spent the bleakearly morning hours swimming back and forth among these terrified crew members, sometimesdragging loners back to the growing mass ... the priest also never stopped swimming among the boys,hearing their confessions and administering Last Rites.”

Thomas Helms, in his book, “Ordeal by Sea”, wrote, “Father Thomas Michael Conway swam

from group to group, never stopping to rest, praying with the men, encouraging those who werefrightened, trying to reason with the maddened. His faith and his prayers gave solace to many ... FatherConway, like Ensign Park, Seaman Rich and many others, burned himself out keeping up a constantpatrol among the men, ministering to the dying, talking reason into others who had becomemomentarily deranged and calming the frightened with prayers until all at once he reached the limit ofhis endurance, and his life drained away.” On 2 August 1945 Fr. M. Thomas Conway was the lastchaplain to die in combat in WWII. Fr. Conway was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.

Frank J. Centazzo, a survivor wrote, “I'm sure that Father Conway was recommended for amedal. In fact, if my memory serves me well, I believe Dr. Haynes (Lt. Cmdr.) was the one who put forthFather Conway's name. However, more than half of the recommendations were set aside by the brassat Guam. I suspect that they didn't want to bring too much attention to the disaster by awarding toomany medals. I believe my name along with many others were also put forth for consideration but got

lost in the shuffle. But the real loss was not awarding any medal to Chaplain Conway. After the war, thecity of Buffalo, NY was, and remains the location of veteran and citizen attempts to preserve thememory of the heroic, compassionate and selfless ministry of Fr. Conway.

On 4 March 1946 the Father Thomas Conway VFW #5800 was mustered (organized) in SouthBuffalo by returning WWII veterans. On 11 May 1954 the Fr. Conway Park in Buffalo was dedicated bythe City Council. The basin was a part of the canal, and an area utilized as a $turn-around# for bargesand ships. Sadly, it also was a dangerous area for children who frequently played in the vicinity of thebasin. After a few children drowned in this area neighborhood residents demanded the basin filled-in.The neighborhood was successful and the 14.5 acre filled-in basin area became known as Fr. ConwayPlayfield. Many residents at the time, remembering the manner of Fr. Conway#s death, believed thateven after death Fr. Conway reaches out to victims and family survivors of those who drowned. A localreporter wrote on the dedication of the park, “The Ohio Basin yesterday was dedicated as the FatherConway Playfield in tribute to a Buffalo priest who gave his life as a Navy Chaplain in World War II.About 5,000 persons witnessed the ceremony…”We dedicate here this field to the activities of the youthtoday as a means to strengthen them in their battle against the subversive enemies of our times…Thechildren who play here, we hope and pray, will be guided by the spirit of Father Tom Conway, a trulygreat priest, a true and honest sportsman, a brave and loyal soldier-sailor of God to the very end.”

On August 2, 2001. Henry J. Mansell, D.D., bishop of Buffalo, presided at an anniversarymemorial for Mass for Fr. Conway at St. Joseph#s Cathedral. The City of Waterbury, on August 26,2005, inducted Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway into the Waterbury Hall of Fame. Recipients of the awardare comprised of Waterbury natives and residents who have made a significant impact on the history ofWaterbury or who have achieved recognition for their accomplishments throughout the city, state,country or world.

On September 23, 2001, the Father Conway Park in Buffalo was rededicated and erection ofnew signage throughout the park, authorized by Anthony M. Masiello, Mayor of Buffalo, took place. On May 20, 2006, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of Buffalo, dedicated the Father Thomas

Conway Memorial at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park. Artist Brian Porter createdthe bronze bust of Father Conway clutching a fistful of dog tags in his left hand and flotation vests in hisright hand. Father Conway removed the sailors# dog tags as they died. “There is an emphaticconnection as humans that this is what Father Conway and the other men went through in the water. There is the spiritual connection of Father Conway to these men. Not only did he provide physicalcomfort, but gave comfort to their souls as well."/end



Section IIISworn Oral Testimony

Eyewitness Accounts

andExhibits 1 through 6

Public Hearing on Senate Resolution held on 26 July 2014

at the USS Indianapolis Survivors Association Meeting.



Public HearingSenate Resolution No. 197Held at Indianapolis, IndianaUSS Indianapolis Survivors Association Meeting - Saturday, 26 July 2014

The hearing was conducted by Robert Dorr, Secretary, Waterbury (CT) Veterans MemorialCommittee. The hearing opened at 11:10 AM, with about 25 people in attendance. Mr. Dorrpresented copies of S. Res. 197, introduced by Sen. Murphy, (CT) and co-sponsored by Sen.Blumenthal (CT). That resolution calls for the posthumous award of the Navy Cross to Lt.(Rev.) Thomas M. Conway, Chaplain, USS Indianapolis (CA-35).

Mr. Dorr called the groups attention to Exhibit #1 (attached), the Official Naval History of theChaplain#s Corps, published in 1948. That exhibit states that Father Conway died on Monday,30 July, 1945. Mr. Dorr then read the excerpt of the letter written by Captain McVay from thatdocument. Mr. Dorr stated that that all subsequent written accounts of Father Conway#s actionin the water point out that Father Conway did not die on 30 July, but rather on 2 August 1945 .Mr. Dorr then presented Exhibit #2 (attached), one of the first written accounts of the sinking ofthe USS Indianapolis, published on 6 August 1955, in the Saturday Evening Post, by Capt.(MD) Lewis Haynes “We Prayed While 883 Died.” In that account, Capt. Haynes described thelast minutes of Father Conway on 2 August 1945. Capt. Haynes and Father Conway led thelargest group of survivors, called “The Swimmers,” until they were seen by USN Lt. WilburGwinn, who was flying a recon mission from Guam. Assistance arrived soon after on 2 August1945.

Mr. Dorr then read from the Saturday Evening Post article which describes the actions of Capt.Haynes on 2 August 1945 when Father Conway died. Mr. Dorr then presented the OfficialAmerican Battle Monuments Exhibit #3 (attached) listing of the death of Father Conway inWorld War II. Father Conway#s name is on the Wall of the Missing, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, and

that listing states that Father Conway died 2 August 1945. With that, Mr. Dorr then opened thePublic Hearing, informing those who testify that their statements will be sworn.

Mr. Dorr: Is there anyone here in attendance that wishes to be heard on this matter?S2c Donald C. McCall: Yes, my name is Donald McCall. I am a survivor of the USSIndianapolis.Mr. Dorr: Your recollection of Father Conway?S2c Donald C. McCall: Father Conway was in thewater with us and he swam from one sailor to anotherwho were in trouble, performing Last Rites on thosewho died, keeping the men together, taking the life

jackets off those who died, and giving them to others,and telling them “Not to worry, you#re going home.”Mr. Dorr: Do you recall Father Conway being aliveafter the first day in the water?S2c Donald C. McCall: Yes, Father Conway lived forabout 3 days, I know he died in Dr. Haynes# arms.Mr. Dorr: So you believe that Father Conway did notdie on 30 July 1945?S2c Donald C. McCall: I was in the water and did not



know the date as I had my own problems. I remember that Father Conway led us in prayerwhen we were in the water and told us we #d be safe, that help was coming.

Mr. Dorr then presented to the witness Exhibit #4 (attached), the Congressional Record,Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005), entitled “HonoringDr. Lewis L. Haynes.” The excerpt read by Mr. Dorr:

“Dr. Haynes found himself in charge of the largest group of survivors. Although they did nothave a lifeboat, the group, called the “swimmers” by Dr. Haynes, was fortunate enough to have lifevests and belts. Dr. Haynes and Father Conway, the ship's chaplain, would swim around to the crew totreat the sick and injured and to round up the lone men floating adrift. Days would go by, and Dr. Haynes would watch helplessly as more of the young crew passedaway from disease, dehydration, and shark attacks. He did what he could to ease their pain andsuffering. He fought off attacks when the men went mad from hallucination. He gave those men hopeand a reason to live when all seemed lost. However, with no food, water, or medical supplies, Dr.Haynes was no longer a physician but more of a coroner. After Father Conway died, Dr. Haynes wouldgive the dead their last rights by reciting the Lord's Prayer.”

Mr. Dorr: Does this sound like an accurate representation of what happened?

S2c Donald C. McCall: Yes, it does. He kept assuring us that we would be safe.

Mr. Dorr then presented Exhibit #5 (attached), from the 1960 book “Ordeal By Sea” by ThomasHelms. The excerpt read by Mr. Dorr:

“Father Thomas Michael Conway swam from group to group, never stopping to rest, prayingwith the men, encouraging those who were frightened, trying to reason with the maddened. His faithand his prayers gave solace to many ... Father Conway, like Ensign Park, Seaman Rich and manyothers, burned himself out keeping up a constant patrol among the men, ministering to the dying,talking reason into others who had become momentarily deranged and calming the frightened withprayers until all at once he reached the limit of his endurance, and his life drained away.” On 2 August1945, Father Thomas M. Conway was the last chaplain to die in combat in WWII.

Mr. Dorr: Mr. McCall, does this sound like an accurate representation of what you know?S2c Donald C. McCall: Yes it does. Father Conway was a wonderful person. I met FatherConway when he called me to go to the chapel and he made me write a letter to my mother. Itold him I had already written a letter to my mother and when she received it, it was all cut up.He said I know, because I was the one who cut it up. I asked him what to do and he told mewhat to write to my mother. She received it and my daughter now has the letter. And I thankyou for allowing me to testify today.Mr. Dorr: Thank you Mr. McCall. Is thereanyone else here who wishes to be heard onSenate Resolution No. 197?S2c Richard Thelen: Yes, I wish to testify.Mr. Dorr: Can you state your name for therecord?S2c Richard Thelen: My name is RichardThelen, Lansing, Michigan.Mr. Dorr: Can you confirm that you wereaboard the USS Indianapolis?S2c Richard Thelen: Yes I was.Mr. Dorr: Did you know, Father Conway?



S2c Richard Thelen: I talked to him on that Sunday before Mass, and I later saw him in thewater, yes.Mr. Dorr: You saw Father Conway in the water?S2c Richard Thelen: Yes.Mr. Dorr: Previously I presented Exhibit #1 the Official Naval History of the Chaplain#s Corps,published in 1948. That exhibit states that Father Conway died on Monday, 30 July, 1945. Canyou confirm that?S2c Richard Thelen: That is wrong. Father Conway died two or three days later. He continuedhis work in the water, giving the Last Rites to the survivors. On Monday morning, FatherConway swam to my group, and asked if there are any Catholics here, and of course I was,and he said swim over this way, and we did. I don#t know how many did, I can#t recall, anyhow,he gave me the Last Sacraments of the Church, and then he swam away, continuing his work.

Mr. Dorr then presented Exhibit #6 (attached), an excerpt from the book “In Harm #s Way” byDoug Stanton. The excerpts read by Mr. Dorr:

“He (Father Conway) spent the bleak early morning hours swimming back and forth amongthese terrified crew members, sometimes dragging loners back to the growing mass ... the priest also

never stopped swimming among the boys, hearing their confessions and administering Last Rites.” “For the past three days, Conway had kept drowning men afloat, praying with them as they died,refusing to quit even when it must have felt impossible to swim another inch.”

Mr. Dorr: Mr. Thelen, do you believe that to be an accurate record of the end of FatherConway#s life?S2c Richard Thelen: Yes, I have heard different survivors tell me that. I was not with him at thattime. I was not in that group.

Mr. Dorr: As you know, this hearing is to determine if Father Conway#s actions were heroic. Wemust establish that Father Conway’s service to the survivors was performed in the presence of

great danger and at great personal risk and was performed in such a manner as to render himhighly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility.For three nights he swam to the aid of his shipmates until he expired, just hours before helparrived. Mr. Thelen, do you believe that this is true?S2c Richard Thelen: Yes I do.Mr. Dorr: Thank you very much.The next question was addressed to S2c Donald C. McCall.Mr. Dorr: Mr. McCall, do you believe that this statement is true?S2c Donald C. McCall: Yes I do. He was really helpful and kept our spirits alive.Mr. Dorr: Thank you very much. Is there anyone else about the room that can add to thistestimony?

Mr. Doug Stanton: Yes, my name is Doug Stanton, from Traverse City, Michigan, and I wrotethat passage you just read. I am the author of “In Harm #s Way,” which is based extensively onthe oral histories of the USS Indianapolis Survivors. To a man, they have recounted to me, justwas these men have told you, that Father Conway had survived well into the ordeal, and it wasLew Haynes that gave me this recollection at his kitchen table in Florida. He was a completelyaccurate source for my book “In Harm#s Way.” What he told me always turned out to be rocksolid truth, and he had no reason to tell me otherwise concerning Father Conway because itwas such a painful memory for him. To the best of my knowledge, and to the 80 or so survivors



I have interviewed over the last decade, I can confirm thatFather Conway did survive at least three days into theordeal.Mr. Dorr: For the record, the American Battle MonumentsCommission (Exhibit #3) lists the date of death of FatherConway as 2 August 1945. Have you heard that story fromthe survivors?Mr. Doug Stanton: I have heard that story repeatedly as Iworked on the book, independent of one another, and theywere not in a room, influencing each#s other recollection.For many of them, it was the first time they were eventalking about it. So when you are attempting to create non-fiction, I became very comfortable about the truth of FatherConway.Mr. Dorr: For the record, are you in possession of youroriginal, notes, recordings, transcriptions and otherevidence of these interviews should they be needed for this application for the Navy Cross?Mr. Doug Stanton: Right, I have the taped interview and transcription of the interview with Dr.Haynes, who was the senior medical officer on the USS Indianapolis. He knew what was goingon.Mr. Dorr: Has that interview been transcribed?Mr. Doug Stanton: Yes it has. It is available if needed.Mr. Dorr: Thank you very much for your testimony. Is there anyone else about the room thatcan offer testimony about S. Res. 197? Hearing none I declare this hearing closed and thankthe participants for their help.

The hearing adjourned at 11:45 A.M. on July 26, 2014./end



Official date of death as published by the American Battle Monuments Commission

EXHIBIT 3



EXHIBIT 5



EXHIBIT 6



USS Indianapolis - Miracle at Sea

In the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the USS Indianapolis was sunk by theJapanese. The tale of how the crew survived in the open sea is nothing short ofmiraculous.

Off in the dark Pacific night, in the rolling waves, another, larger group of nearly400 were assembling, under the leadership of Dr. Lewis Haynes, Marine Captain

Edward Parke and Father Conway , the Catholic chaplain. They had no life rafts; Dr.Haynes called them his "swimmers." Only 66 from their group survived. Other smallergroups and individuals were scattered across the waves. By the time help arrived, thesurvivors had drifted 100 miles and were strung out along a swath 18 miles long. Seaman first-class Ed Brown was in Dr. Haynes’ group. "There was a hugeexplosion and a big ball of fire that shot up into the sky — probably 200 feet or more,"he recounted to THE NEW AMERICAN. "It did not take very long for the ship to startlisting badly. I jumped; it was about 70 feet down to the water." He swam for about 100 yards, then turned back to look at what seemed "just like a Hollywood production. Wecould see the keel standing up, the fantail with the screws still turning, silhouettedagainst the moon." Then, as the ship sunk beneath the waves, the moon hid again in thecloudsand all was dark.

“New American Magazine” December 17, 1998 - -author William F. Jasper



“Abandon Ship!” by Richard F. Newcomb Published 1958 - page 129



USS Indianapolis (CA-35) survivor and a founding member of the US Navy Cruiser SailorsAssociation wrote this about Father Conway:

Frank J. Centazzo recently wrote, “Father Conway was in every way a messenger of ourLord. He loved his work no matter what the challenge. He was respected and loved byall his shipmates. I was in the group with Father Conway. ... I saw him go from onesmall group to another. Getting the shipmates to join in prayer and asking them not togive up hope of being rescued. He kept working until he was exhausted. I remember onthe third day late in the afternoon when he approached me and Paul McGiness. He wasthrashing the water and Paul and I held him so he could rest a few hours. Later, he

managed to get away from us and we never saw him again. Father Conway wassuccessful in his mission to provide spiritual strength to all of us. He made us believethat we would be rescued. He gave us hope and the will to endure. His work wasexhausting and he finally succumbed in the evening of the third day. He will beremembered by all of the survivors for all of his work while on board the ‘Indy’ andespecially three days in the ocean.”

Frank J. Centazzo, a survivor wrote, “I'm sure that Father Conway was recommendedfor a medal. In fact, if my memory serves me well, I believe Dr. Haynes (Lt. Cmdr.) wasthe one who put forth Father Conway's name. However, more than half of the

recommendations were set aside by the brass at Guam. I suspect that they didn't wantto bring too much attention to the disaster by awarding too many medals. I believe myname along with many others were also put forth for consideration but got lost in theshuffle. But the real loss was not awarding any medal to Chaplain Conway. After the war, the city of Buffalo, NY was, and remains the location of veteran and citizenattempts to preserve the memory of the heroic, compassionate and selfless ministry ofFr. Conway.”

/end



Lt. Commander (Rev.) William F. Frawley, (a Catholic Priest from St. Hugh#s Catholic Church,Carmichael, Pennsylvania), was stationed at USN Base Hospital #20, Peleliu, wrote this at thetime that the survivors of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) were brought there for treatment:

Fr. William F. Frawley, was a chaplain at Base Hospital #20, Peleliu Island where the

majority of survivors were taken for medical attention. Though there was a governmentnews blackout about the incident, Fr. Frawley wrote a letter to Archdiocese of MilitaryServices, dated August 5, one day after the rescue. He wrote, “The true facts concerningthe death of Fr. Thomas Conway…He along with about eight hundred others, got off theship into the water when the explosions occurred. On the evening of the third day in the water, completely exhausted, he drowned. All the survivors who were brought to ourBase Hospital have the highest praise for him. They report that he had been aboard thecruiser for the past year; that he had done much to improve the ship’s facilities; that hetreated the personnel indiscriminately, devoting as much attention as possible to thenon-Catholics; that on the Sunday preceding the disaster two mess halls were needed to

take care of the overflow crowd at general services; that he spoke on the parable of thePharisee and publican, likening them to two sailors appearing before the captain of theship; that, while in the water he went about from group to group organizing prayergroups ... Fr. Conway spent his leave flying to the homes of nine boys who had beenkilled by a suicide plane which struck the ship near Okinawa (that is the reason the ship was on its way from the States. It had been reconditioned and left the States on 16 Julyand was hit somewhere between Guam and Leyte on 30 July at 0010.) ...”

/end



USN Fc3 Concepción BernacilUSS Indianapolis (CA-35) Survivor

“Ensign Blum and I eventually became separated in the water, but we wound up in thesame large group that Dr. Lewis Haynes and Chaplain Thomas M. Conway were in. Dr.

Haynes had a most difficult time treating injured men with the few medical supplies onhand. Father Conway worked very hard trying to console so many men in the water,praying with them and over them, until he was so exhausted he "gave up the spirit" onthe third day. We couldn't understand why the Navy did not search for us after the thirdday.”

“Only 317 Survived” - authors - USS Indianapolis Survivors - October 2006 - p.31



USN S2c Richard P.ThelenUSS Indianapolis (CA-35) Survivor

“There were about 25 to 30 men in the water near me, all covered in oil. The water was very choppy, Someone in the darkness said to spread the oil on your body and life

jackets "as we may be here longer than we think." We rode 8 to 10-foot swells all nightand all day Monday. At daylight (Tuesday) I discovered I ! was in a group of 50 to 75, allin life jackets. Some had been burned. Those seriously injured didn't live long in the salt water. The combination of the salt water, oil, and motion of the waves had everyone vomiting.

Father Conway was in our group and asked any Catholics in the group to swimtoward him. He gave us the last sacrament. Then he swam away. I was told later that hecontinued to administer to the men and exhausted himself and died. ”




USN SM3 Paul W. McGinnisUSS Indianapolis (CA-35) Survivor

“ When dawn came that Tuesday morning, we waited with great anticipation for the sun with all its fiery brilliance to again rise and warm our shivering bodies. This was the morning ofour ship's scheduled arrival at Leyte, and when she didn't show there, the navy would comelooking for us and we would be rescued. (Dream on sailor boy!) Sometime around midday, I was swimming a slow breast stroke and going somewhat with the current when I came downfrom the top of a huge swell and ran into several scattered survivors, one of whom was FatherConway , our chaplain. Being Catholic, I was most happy to see him since I hadn't been to

confession for some time. I asked Father Conway if he would hear my confession; however,due to the extreme circumstances, he waived confession and gave me absolution. It is difficultto explain the feeling of relief that came over me when he finished with the sign of the cross. I was elated and religiously prepared to die. In this group also were Dr. Haynes, the ship'smedical doctor and the marine commander, Captain Parke. With this group there also were cries of "SHARK" several times. Once again I didn't seeany sharks or shark fins that day or any day out there. Years after the rescue, Dr. Haynes statedin a published article he had counted eighty-eight shark attacks on cadavers in two days; rescue vessels recovering bodies refer to many as being mutilated or skeletonized, and fellow survivorstell me of witnessing actual attacks on live survivors and also say sharks were always beneathus. Thank God I looked down only twice.

At some point Tuesday I ran into Frank, another signalman with whom I spentconsiderable time exploring the area; that is, we swam to other groups, which we could see when atop swells at the same time. Our thinking was that they might have food or water, for wecertainly had nothing and the hunger and thirst were always there. Father Conway was constantly swimming from one injured or suffering survivor toanother trying to comfort them. Eventually he exhausted himself, became incoherent, anddied.”




USN Y1 Richard A. ParoubekUSS Indianapolis (CA-35) Survivor

“When the ship disappeared, many men were in the general area, some in great painand others calling for friends. Some were badly burned or had suffered broken bones.Those who left the ship with just life belts-or left with nothing -all-were in a serious way. I believe some did not last until morning.

We soon became aware of the oil covering us. Scared? Yes! Bewildered? Yes.

How did I ever get here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Within the first 2 minutes,however, Father Conway identified himself and asked all Catholics to gather around.He said he was going to give the last rites for all who had just died and all who wereabout to die. During the grueling days which followed, he went from man to man givinghelp and comfort to all those who were in the group. He did not survive but FatherConway served his fellow man graciously and in a heroic manner. This group was laterreferred to as Dr. Haynes' group.”




“We Were There” by USNR (Ret.) LCDR L. Peter Wren - 2002



Section V - Letters ofSupport and Petitions

from USS Indianapolis Survivors, family

members, and USS Indianapolis Lost at Seacrew families

Previously unpublished letters from survivors, a petition of support signed by 13

USS Indianapolis survivors, and 51 families of crew members



Section VI - Photographs ofLt. (Rev.) Thomas M. Conway

from theAlfred Sedivi Archive, U.S. Naval Institute,

Annapolis, MD

Photographs from the Alfred Sedivi Archive showing Father Conwayaboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35)



Lt. (Rev.) Thomas M. ConwayPhotographs from the US Naval Institute - Alfred Sedivi Archive - Annapolis, Maryland



Section VII - References and Bibliography

"The Sinking of USS Indianapolis: Navy Department Press Release, Narrative of the Circumstances ofthe Loss of USS Indianapolis, 23 February 1946". U.S. Navy.

“In Harm's Way - The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors” By

Doug Stanton (Author), pub. Henry Holt & Company, Inc. 2003

"Recollections of the Sinking of USS Indianapolis (CA-35)” by Capt. Lewis L. Haynes, (Medical Corps)(Ret.), The senior medical officer on board the ship." Navy Medicine (Jul–Aug 1995)

“Abandon Ship! - The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, the Navy's Greatest Sea Disaster". ISBN0-06-018471-X 1958 - by Richard F. Newcomb (Author), Peter Maas (Author)

“Out of the Depths”, by David Harrell (as told by Edgar Harrell). 2005. ISBN 1-59781-166-1

“The History of the Chaplain Corps, United States Navy, Washington, U.S. Govt. Printing Office, 1948”,

Clifford Merrill Drury; United States Bureau of Naval Personnel.

“Only 317 Survived! : USS Indianapolis (CA-35) Navy's Worst Tragedy at Sea” - 880 Men DiedHardcover – January 1, 2002, by USS Indianapolis Survivors (Authors)

“Fatal Voyage: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis” - August 14, 2001 by Dan Kurzman (Author)

“The Tragic Fate of the U.S.S. Indianapolis: The U.S. Navy's Worst Disaster at Sea,” – April 1991, byRaymond B. Lech (Author)

“Ordeal By Sea; The Tragedy Of The U.S.S. Indianapolis”, 1960, by Thomas Helms (Author)

“We Prayed While 883 Died” by Capt. Lewis Haynes, Saturday Evening Post, August 6, 1955.

United States Congressional Record, Volume 151, No. 75, Wednesday, June 8, 2005.

“USS Indianapolis - Miracle at Sea”, by William F. Jasper, New American Magazine, December 17,1998

“The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis, How I Survived”, by Richard Thelen, as told to Carolyn Smith,Faith Magazine, December 2002.

“The Priest Aboard the Doomed USS Indianapolis” by William Milhomme, Faith Magazine, April 2003.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Thomas%20Helms&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank

http://www.amazon.com/Raymond-B.-Lech/e/B001KHU5XY/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

http://www.amazon.com/Dan-Kurzman/e/B000APHN7I/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=USS+Indianapolis+Survivors&search-alias=books&text=USS+Indianapolis+Survivors&sort=relevancerank

http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3ADrury%2C+Clifford+Merrill%2C&qt=hot_author

http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3AUnited+States.+Bureau+of+Naval+Personnel.&qt=hot_author

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/006018471X

http://www.amazon.com/Richard-F.-Newcomb/e/B001K8KJUW/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1













http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1597811661

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1597811661

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Harrell&action=edit&redlink=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Harrell&action=edit&redlink=1

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_2?ie=UTF8&field-author=Peter+Maas&search-alias=books&text=Peter+Maas&sort=relevancerank

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_2?ie=UTF8&field-author=Peter+Maas&search-alias=books&text=Peter+Maas&sort=relevancerank







http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq30-5.htm








lt. (rev.) thomas m. conway navy cross final pdf

Documents