Yesterday, when I read the Indianapolis represented US Navy's greatest loss of life it seemed odd to me compared to events like Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway etc. I looked those up and the USS Arizona lost 1,177 in Pearl attack so I'm not sure about the Indianapolis. Maybe it was largest loss "at sea" or something like that. What people remember (IF they remember) the Indianapolis for the most is the sharks. I recall seeing a survivor on television who decribed hanging on the side of of a capsized life boat all night while hearing the screams and seeing men next to him suddenly get yanked down under the surface - with body parts floating back up. With stress and horror like that some guys just let go and sink to get things over with.
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