This is dedicated with Love, to the memory of my Uncle. William Solomon Jr. (LAS) Seaman Second Class ,U.S. Navy. And to the many others...who lost their lives for our freedom, they will always be remembered in our hearts. May they rest in peace. And to the survivors, may GOD be with you always, as he was with you then.  

Discovery Channel Exploration

On June 1, 2000 the Discovery Channel along with deep sea explorer Curt Newport lead a team of experts on a search to find the USS Indianapolis. Unfortunately, she just didn't want to be found. They had several interruptions including weather and mechanical difficulties.  Click here to read the day by day events as well as some great photo's.....

Chronological View

William Solomon Jr - Seaman Second Class USNR  314-84-63

February 23 1945 ~USNRS Detroit
March 24 1945 ~ Called to active duty - Class V6 USNR
March 25 1945 ~ USNTC Great Lakes - Co. 424 Bat. 48 / Reg. 27 Brks. 280LU
April 5 1945 ~ Application for N.S.L. Ins. submitted
May 26 1945 ~ Advanced to S2C - Completed recruit training
5 days recruit leave granted
June 8 1945 ~ NAVTRA & DISTR Center -Shoemaker, CA
June 12 1945 ~ Arrived in Shoemaker California - USN TADCEN
June 23 1945 ~ Aboard USS Indianapolis
July 30 1945 ~ Serving outside the Continental US - MIA
Sept 13 1945 ~ Status changed this date form MIA to reported dead

-The last person to see William was Leo Adams. He said he saw him up on deck sleeping. He told that to my grandparents after he came back to the states. Leo H. (Harry) Adams 314-92-97.
-Last known residence - Atlantic City, NJ / Left Navy in August of 1945. Ray Emory in Hawaii thinks he might have joined the Marines later. Have not confirmed this. Parents lived on Continental St., Detroit Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Adams.
 

USS Indy Pictures

Mare Island - July 1945, Guam - August 1945 and USS Indy @ Tinian ( A few days before she was lost)

 

Links

USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization

Discovery Channel Search for the USS Indianapolis

The Great White Fleet

Time Magazine Photo of the Week

Information on the ship USS Indianapolis

In Harms Way ~ Excellent book on the Indianapolis

Indy Maru Site dedicated to the Indianapolis

 

Exoneration

On July 13th, 2001 the U.S. Navy Exonerated USS Indianapolis Captain Charles McVay after 56 Years. The Navy Department Announced that Captain McVay's record has been amended to exonerate him for the loss of the USS Indianapolis and the lives of those who perished as a result of her sinking.

Although the Navy "exonerated" Captain McVay, the court-martial still remains on his record. You can write to the President and to the Secretary of the Navy, urging that they remove the shameful conviction from Captain McVay's record completely and bring both closure and justice to this tragic event. Click here for more information...

My Perspective
I was born 21 years to the day that the Navy officially called off the search for any living or dead that were aboard the USS Indianapolis. I have no idea if that makes any difference but I find it strange. I never had a chance to meet my Uncle William, nor did I ever realize what he might have went through for the sake of freedom. My Uncle William was 16 years old when he signed up for the Navy, and he was to young to join without his fathers signature. Grandpa signed the form. He blamed himself for the rest of his life when William met his ill fate.

Thanks to  The USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization and the Second Watch, I was able to accomplish many things that seemed to be open ended for my family. Thank you Kurt and Dot for encouraging me to keep up the good work. To share what I have found, for all to see. And thanks to my grandmother (the pack rat that she was) for the documents that she held dear, which have made their way into my hands. They will never lay buried in that little fire proof box again. Thanks to my Father for allowing me to keep Williams memory alive, no matter what pain it might have brought him to re-live again.

I have felt drawn, for whatever reason to find out everything I can about the ship, the circumstances, my Uncle, and the men that survived that terrible ordeal. In addition to the pictures and documents I have so far on this site, I have succeeded in my pursuit to get my Uncle William an "In Memory of" head stone at Arlington National Cemetery. I have received the Medals William acquired. I have joined the Second Watch, along with my Father, and we attended our first Survivors reunion in the summer of 2001 along with my husband, daughter and brother. It was a history lesson to remember. You can read more about our experience here.

Thanks to the most wonderful and enlightening book 'In Harms Way' written by Doug Stanton. Most of all thank you Uncle William for somehow guiding me to use my talents of today's modern technology, to tell your story. To keep you and your shipmates in everyone's memory.