YOKOSUKA, Japan - When the submarine USS Ohio surfaced at sea and Machinist Mate First Class Jason Witty emerged from the hatch to look around, he saw calm, blue water under a peaceful sky - perfect for the solemn task he was about to perform.
On the map, the Ohio was afloat in just another indistinguishable expanse of the Pacific Ocean. As Witty stood on deck holding a silver pitcher, the vessel was alone.
Just like the ill-fated USS Indianapolis, 63 years earlier.
The pitcher contained the ashes of Witty's grandfather, Boatswain Mate Second Class Eugene Morgan, who had survived the sinking of the Indianapolis - one of the worst tragedies for the US Navy in World War II.
Morgan had died of a heart attack in June at age 87, just before Witty went to sea, and among his last wishes was the desire to be rejoined with his shipmates at roughly the same spot in the Pacific where the Indianapolis went down.
Witty, sitting in a wardroom of the Ohio at this Japanese port, recounted the Oct. 2 burial at sea, saying he had never participated in one before.
He had sheepishly asked one of the officers if his grandfather's wish could be granted. The request went up the chain of command to Captain Dennis Carpenter, who quickly approved.
"I thought it would be an honor," Carpenter said. "And I wanted to make sure that we did it right. Sometimes on a submarine at sea, you just can't go topside. But everything seemed to be on our side."
In July 1945, the Indianapolis had just completed a secret mission to the tiny island of Tinian, carrying components for a new weapon - the atomic bomb. It would later be dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in the world's first nuclear attack.
Because of its cargo, the Indianapolis had sailed to Tinian unescorted. Then, with that mission done, the cruiser was making its way back to Leyte, in the Philippines, with a crew of 1,196 aboard, including Eugene Morgan. Early on July 30, when the ship was still near the Marianas Islands, a Japanese I-58 submarine found the Indianapolis and launched six torpedoes, two ripping through its starboard side.
It took only 12 minutes for the Indianapolis to sink in the deadliest disaster at sea in US naval history. Morgan was asleep when the ship exploded into chaos.
"He was in his skivvies," Witty said. "He was tossed from his rack. There were fires. He got topside and the boat started to capsize." Morgan jumped off the port side of the ship and slid down into the black sea.
"At some point, he found some food floating on the surface and swam toward it," Witty said. "But on the way, he was attacked by a shark."
It swam away before going in for the kill. For the rest of his life, Morgan carried scars on his backside from the attack.
Many of his shipmates weren't so fortunate. Morgan could hear their screams as they were attacked.
By the time help arrived five days later, 879 sailors were dead - from drowning, sharks, dehydration, or from injuries suffered in the attack itself. Morgan was one of only 317 to survive, floating on makeshift rafts, wreckage, or clinging to each other.
The tragedy inspired the famous monologue in the movie "Jaws," in which the seasoned shark hunter played by Robert Shaw tells of the horrors of floating in the shark-infested waters while awaiting rescue.
Morgan was eventually saved when Navy seaplanes landed in the water and started to pluck out survivors. Ships also arrived to assist in the rescue.
Only one more US ship would be sunk before Japan's surrender in August 1945. The Indianapolis has never been found.
Morgan, a Seattle firefighter after the war, kept the experience to himself for more than four decades. Witty, of Puyallup, Wash., joined the Navy right out of high school. Two years later, his grandfather opened up.
Once the door was open, Morgan began talking about the tragedy every chance he got. He was a frequent visitor at local schools and historical groups and took part in documentaries to make sure that the story of the Indianapolis would not be forgotten.
Morgan's burial at sea, on Oct. 2, was simple but somber.
Scripture was read, along with a eulogy written by another of Morgan's grandsons, Steven Wilson. The order was given for the firing detail to ready their rifles, and three shots rang out.
Turning to face the sea, Witty held the silver pitcher wrapped in a blue cloth over the side of the deck and spread the ashes to the wind.
"Just going to that spot on the chart, what went through my mind was what they must have gone through," Witty recalled. "They knew they were by themselves."
PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 1, 2008) Machinist‚'s Mate 1st Class Jason Witty commits the ashes of his grandfather, Eugene Stanley Morgan, to the Philippine Sea during a ceremony aboard the guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726). Morgan served as a member of the crew aboard the World War II cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA 35) and was one of just 316 Sailors who survived after Japanese torpedoes sunk the cruiser July 30, 1945, requested to be buried with his shipmates in the Philippine Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Gabriel Hernandez (Released)
PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 1, 2008) The firing detail aboard the guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) fires three volleys as part of a burial-at-sea for World War II Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Eugene Stanley Morgan, one of the 316 survivors of the sinking of the World War II cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA 35) in the Philippine Sea July 30, 1945. Morgan died June 18, 2008. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Gabriel Hernandez/Released)H/T to the Armorer who has a post up about this as well.
Cool story. Thanks for posting, Maggie.
ReplyDeleteGreat story.
ReplyDeleteI do remember seeing the Ohio being built back in the Summer of '82. Great sight it was, to see her being worked at, at the shipyard out in Groton.
Requiem aeternam dona eio, Domine;
ReplyDeleteet lux perpetuam luceat eio.
Thanks for that one Maggie
ReplyDeleteI cannot begin to describe to you the pride I felt reading this story. That our US Navy wouuld take the time at sea to honor a WWII sailor in this way is a testament to the great traditions of our Navy and the character of the men who serve today. I knew Gene Morgan, and he was one of the finest men I've ever met. I heard his stories, and tell them when I can. What he and his shipmates went through to survive at sea for 5 days is a miracle. 880 really good men were lost when the Indy was sunk, and I cry inside when I stop to think of all the kids and grandkids, and whole families, that never were because of their sacrifice after delivering the first atomic bomb to Tinian and the Enola Gay. Wishing all the men of the USS Indianapolis CA-35 peace and comfort when they finally join their shipmates. Farewell Gene, you will always be alive in us who continue to tell your stories.
ReplyDeleteSir, anytime you want to write up a story, it will be my honor to post it.
ReplyDeleteFair Winds, Following Seas to your destination Shipmate..
ReplyDeleteI was assigned to a fighter squadron (VFA151) in 1996 when my ship, USS Constellation, visited Seattle. I was standing a watch on the flight deck when I saw BM2 Morgan among the visitors that day. I saw his blue 'Member's Only' jacket with a silhouette of the Indy and the words 'USS Indianapolis Survivor's Association'. Simply put, I FREAKED OUT. Visitors are only allowed on the flight deck and in the hangar bay and so I took it upon myself to give this GREAT man and his friend a tour of my ship. (I am from the South where hospitality is a way of life.) It was heart warming to see members of the crew greet him like the HERO he was. He was a boatswain's mate so I first took him to the forecastle and showed him the huge anchor chains that aircraft carriers use. I then dragged that elderly gentleman and his friend all over the "Connie" and they never missed a step. They moved like they were part of the crew. I took them to my squadron's Ready Room to show him where I worked and to give he and his friend a rest. Those few hours that I spent in his company that day ranks as the proudest moment in my life. So, how does one top giving a survivor of the Indianapolis a personally guided tour of their ship? [YN3 Mark Garner USN, 1994-1997]
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Mark!
ReplyDelete