Ballad of the Patriot Guard

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USS INDIANAPOLIS - Survivors Story

PUBLISHED: Saturday, March 29, 2008
Indianapolis survivor shares story




By Frank DeFrank
Macomb Daily Staff Writer



Richard Thelen, 81, a survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the worst naval disaster in U.S. history, makes a point with students at Kennedy Middle School in St. Clair Shores. The Indianapolis was torpedoed in the Pacific Ocean days after delivering to a South Pacific island the atomic bomb that would end the war just days later. The Indianapolis was served by a crew of nearly 1,200 sailors. Only 317 survived.
Macomb Daily photo by David Dalton

Paul Melton, an eighth-grader at Kennedy Middle School in St. Clair Shores, holds a fascination for World War II. When the History Channel broadcasts a program that chronicles an event of 60-plus years ago, Paul is as likely to be tuned in as most kids are to be playing video games.After Friday, he'll view those programs in a whole new light.
Paul was one of dozens of Kennedy students on hand to hear the real-life story of Richard Thelen, one of just 317 sailors who survived the July 1945 sinking of the USS Indianapolis.

"It's pretty exciting," Paul said.

The eighth-graders were assigned to read the book "Left for Dead," one of several about the Indianapolis. Just days after it delivered components for the first atomic bomb that would end the war, the Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.

As a follow-up to the assignment, teachers recruited Thelen, a Lansing resident, to visit the school and tell his story.

"He is living history," said Jennifer Mackewich, language arts teacher. "These kids are so excited, especially the boys."

Thelen was an 18-year-old sailor making his first voyage aboard the Indianapolis in July 1945. Crew members didn't know what they delivered to the South Pacific island of Tinian, but the round-the-clock Marine guards told them it was something important.

"We didn't know it until after we dropped the bomb," Thelen said. "Then they told us."

After leaving Tinian, the first part of its mission completed, the

Indianapolis set sail for the Philippines. But shortly after midnight July 30, the ship was torpedoed in the Philippine Sea. The Indianapolis sank in 12 minutes.

Of nearly 1,200 men on board, 300 went down with the ship. The other 900 were left floating in shark-infested waters with no lifeboats and most without food or water.

"The sharks would go through at night and bounce around like Ping-Pong balls," Thelen said. "I saw six to eight men taken by sharks."

Unbeknownst to the sailors, nobody knew the Indianapolis was missing. So nobody was looking for them. For four days the men bobbed in the ocean, stretched out two miles wide and 18 miles long.

One by one, they succumbed to wounds, exposure, madness from drinking salt water and the loss of hope.

"They'd take their life jackets off and say they're going down below deck to get a drink of water," Thelen said.

Thelen, too, thought of letting himself slip below the surface to end his agony. But every time he did, the vision of his father's face appeared before his eyes.

"I'd see my dad's face," he told the students. "He brought me home."

For five nights and four days the crew of the Indianapolis clung to life. Finally, on the morning of the fifth day, a passing plane caught a glimpse of an oil slick.

"They (the crew of the plane) didn't know who we were, what ship were we off or where we were from," Thelen said.

Only after the survivors were pulled from the sea did the Navy understand: The sinking of the Indianapolis was the worst disaster in U.S. naval history.

Of the 900 sailors who went into the water, just 316 survived.

Now 81, Thelen is one of the few survivors of the Indianapolis still around to tell the story. He carved out a good life for himself, working as a truck driver for more than 40 years and raising six children. Two years ago, he married Esther, his second wife, who accompanies Thelen now when he visits schools, service clubs and other groups to tell his story.

Why did he survive when so many of his shipmates perished?

"I have no idea," Thelen said.

Meanwhile, Paul Melton will watch those World War II documentaries with a new appreciation for the men and women whose stories are chronicled.

"I don't think I would have made it," Paul said. "I'll see (World War II) a lot differently. I have a lot of respect (for veterans). But this just boosts your respect that much more."

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Open Letter From an Army Wife

Jill [somewhere in the mid-west]
25 March 2008
Wife of SFC [somewhere in Iraq]
HQ, 1/151 Infantry –Indiana National Guard

*********************************

Can you imagine. . .

Your husband is in Iraq and you are sitting in the living room with your children, watching your favorite television show and suddenly “BREAKING NEWS” – your local newscast personality is on your TV screen, seemingly shouting at you “Another Indiana National Guardsman killed in Iraq. More at 11. . . ”.

Your kids look at you. . .

You look at the TV. . .

Then at the phone. . .

Surely if it were your husband someone would have called you before it made it on the 11:00 news. . .

Wouldn’t they???

All you News people out there, let me ask - ARE YOU CRAZY!!! You have no idea what that feels like, and I hope you never have too. In an instant, your heart stops, your stomach is in your throat and tears are already streaming down your face. . .

But you can’t let the kids see that you’re the slightest bit upset by this.

In the midst of all the negative press about the war and all the angry debates over bringing the troops home, has anyone stopped to think about how this all affects the families of the soldiers???

I’ve heard over and over how it takes a special person to be a soldier, but what about their families? Let me tell you, they are pretty special too! I know, I’ve been married to a soldier for years and I get it. . .

But then I have also been the soldier, which gives me a different perspective than most. It is not easy to let go and let your soldier go off into a combat zone, but, then you don’t have a choice. The decision has already been made by the soldier and the soldier (Your Soldier) must have strong feelings about what he is doing or he would not be serving in some capacity in the military.

As a soldier’s family it is our place to be strong and totally supportive of the soldier, whether or not you support the war. It does, however, look really bad when a soldier’s family talks bad about the war. If you have nothing good to say then say nothing! The media is doing a good job keeping the negativity alive all by itself. They don’t need our help, but think about this. . .

Would our soldiers want to go back if they didn’t think they were doing some good?

We must have faith and trust in what our soldiers believe. Recently, I was fortunate to hear LTC Brian Corneilson speak on “The Truth About Iraq” and one thing he said stuck in my mind. Everyday a line forms outside this one building, people waiting to get applications to become Iraqi police. EVERYDAY there is a new line with new people, waiting. This line has been blown up at least 3 times by suicide bombers, killing many, many people. Would you willing go stand in a line that you knew could get you killed?? These people did and still do because they feel that strong about governing themselves. Our soldiers feel this and they see this from the civilians they come in contact with on a daily basis. The good they see and feel over shadows the negativity that we see in the media and therefore we have to trust our soldiers and show them support.

How can we support our troops?

The soldiers no longer need every bar of soap or tube of toothpaste mailed to them. Life in Iraq for the troops has progressed to a more comfortable state of living, so what we need to do is support the families. We must do everything we can to minimize a soldier’s distractions. A soldier that is not totally focused on what they are doing puts himself and those around him at risk. If a soldier is in the middle of a mission but is thinking about how depressed his mother was the last time he talked to her or he is upset because he can’t be home for his sister’s wedding or birth of a child –this is dangerous. We must minimize their distractions as much as possible.

Your soldier is already upset he can’t be there so don’t make it worse.

Tell him it’s OK. . .

You understand why he can’t be there and what he is doing IS important. Your husband doesn’t need to know the basement is flooded. He DOES need to know there is a support network in place at home and his family is using it. Whether it is your extended family or the Family Readiness Support Group for your unit, someone is there to help.

If you know a family who has a deployed soldier, check on them. Some people are shy about asking for help, so show up, often, volunteer your services, let them know you care and aren’t going away. This is the best way you can support our deployed soldiers.

A person’s outlook and attitude changes when the war gets personal. They start paying attention to the news, forming their own opinions and wanting to get involved. The more people we get involved, the better it is for our troops.

People ask me how I can let my husband go back to Iraq. . .

I say “How can I not?”.

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WISDOM - FROM THE MILITARY MANUAL

"If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal
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"It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed." - U.S. Air Force Manual
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"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons." - General Macarthur
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"Tracers work both ways." - U.S. Army Ordnance
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"Five second fuses only last three seconds." - Infantry Journal
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"Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once."
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"Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do." - Unknown Marine Recruit
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"If you see a bomb technician running, follow him." - USAF Ammo Troop
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"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death , I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing." - At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena , Japan
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"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."
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"If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe."
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"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash."
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"Without ammunition, the USAF would be just another expensive flying club."
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"What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots? If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; If ATC screws up, .... The pilot dies."
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"Never trade luck for skill."
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The three most common expressions (or famous last words) in aviation are: "Why is it doing that?", "Where are we?" And "Oh S...!"
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"Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight."
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"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we never left one up there!"
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"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your flight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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"The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you." - Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot)
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"There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime." - Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970
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"If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to."
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"You know that your landing gear is up and locked when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal."
(quote from an Aggie Pilot)
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As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives, the rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks "What happened?".

The pilot's reply: "I don't know, I just got here myself!" - Attributed to Ray Crandell (Lockheed test pilot)

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A Date which will Live in Infamy

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense...I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan...a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory--" So help us God"
~President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dec. 8, 1941

Sixty-six years ago, our nation endured a devastating attack that claimed the lives of more than 2,400 Americans. Those stationed at Pearl Harbor rushed into action as gunfire and explosions shattered the Sunday morning calm of December 7, 1941. Putting duty before their own safety, many risked their lives – and many gave their lives – to defend their comrades and the free world.

You could never be repaid for your bravery and sacrifice to our nation. We forget, and lose sight of, how far we have come as a nation because of your service. My family and our children salute you and your service, and give you our most humble thank you!

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Hope Rides Alone

By Eddie Jeffers

I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others.

I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again...and yet, I too, am just a boy....my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid...because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows, and it is always there.

There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own...but that are necessary for survival. I've made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets...who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not.And to think, I volunteered for this...

And I am ignorant to the rest of the world...or so I thought.But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi , Iraq , the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America , and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.

I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.

People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don't realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy's brutality because it's against the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward's war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation's news outlets. And every day, the enemy changes...only now, the enemy is becoming something new. The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it.

But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society...and they are becoming our enemy.

Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam . In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam . Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on. Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war.

Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the Internet...and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed...for doing their job.

It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this. Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we've done is thrown in their face? When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq ? Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed? It's all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right.

America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing. It's not like World War Two, where people rationed food, and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a service member, its life as usual...the war doesn't affect you.

But it affects us. And when it is over, and the troops come home, and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service...where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can't touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders.

We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped, and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause, and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor...we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It's supporting our President, our troops and our cause.

Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn't.

Let's stop all the political nonsense, let's stop all the bickering, let's stop all the bad news, and let's stand and fight!

******

Eddie's father, David Jeffers, writes:
I'm not sure how many letters or articles you've ever read from the genre of "News from the Front," but this is one of the best I've ever read, including all of America's wars. As I was reading this, I forgot that it was my son who had written it. My emotions range from great pride to great sorrow, knowing that my little boy (22 years old) has become this man.

He is my hero. Thank all of you for your prayers for him; he needs them now more than ever. God bless.

Though Eddie is no longer with us, you can help to let his voice be heard

*******************************

I did not look into Snoops to see if this was true... I don't care, if it isn't, it should be.

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Happy Thanksgiving

The Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving
by: Edgar Albert Guest

It may be I am getting old and like too much to dwell
Upon the days of bygone years, the days I loved so well;
But thinking of them now I wish somehow that I could know
A simple old Thanksgiving Day, like those of long ago,
When all the family gathered round a table richly spread,
With little Jamie at the foot and grandpa at the head,
The youngest of us all to greet the oldest with a smile,
With mother running in and out and laughing all the while.

It may be I'm old-fashioned, but it seems to me to-day
We're too much bent on having fun to take the time to pray;
Each little family grows up with fashions of its own;
It lives within a world itself and wants to be alone.
It has its special pleasures, its circle, too, of friends;
There are no get-together days; each one his journey wends,
Pursuing what he likes the best in his particular way,
Letting the others do the same upon Thanksgiving Day.

I like the olden way the best, when relatives were glad
To meet the way they used to do when I was but a lad;
The old home was a rendezvous for all our kith and kin,
And whether living far or near they all came trooping in
With shouts of "Hello, daddy!" as they fairly stormed the place
And made a rush for mother, who would stop to wipe her face
Upon her gingham apron before she kissed them all,
Hugging them proudly to her breast, the grownups and the small.

Then laughter rang throughout the home, and, Oh, the jokes they told;
From Boston, Frank brought new ones, but father sprang the old;
All afternoon we chatted, telling what we hoped to do,
The struggles we were making and the hardships we'd gone through;
We gathered round the fireside. How fast the hours would fly--
It seemed before we'd settled down 'twas time to say good-bye.
Those were the glad Thanksgivings, the old-time families knew
When relatives could still be friends and every heart was true.

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