Mensa AG 2018

The U.S.S. Indianapolis: A Survivor's Tale of the Atom Bomb and Surviving the Worst Disaster in the History of the U.S. Navy (Room JW Grand Ballroom 3/4)

06 Jul 18
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

Tracks: Speaker

Speaker(s): Edgar Harrell, USMC, Retired

Like so many stories surrounding World War II, where fact is sometimes stranger than fiction, Edgar Harrell’s story is a terrifying firsthand account of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Navy coverup that led to the bizarre court-martial and eventual exoneration of its captain. Harrell vividly describes the horrors of being plagued by sharks, hypothermia, severe dehydration, and salt-water hallucinations, as well as the crew’s heart-wrenching struggle to survive the greatest catastrophe at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy – a truly riveting story of survival, political intrigue, the atom bomb, and faith in the providence of God. Of the 1,197 men on board the Indianapolis when it was sunk, about 300 went down with the ship and about 900 went into the water alive. Of those, only 317 survived the 4½ days swimming with the sharks. At the age of 94, Harrell is one of only 16 still living. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear this story from someone who lived it. For more information, visit indysurvivor.com.