The Pittsburgh Press (November 27, 1945)
Court-martial set in loss of cruiser
WASHINGTON (UP) – The Navy announced today that a general court-martial has been ordered convened for the trial of Capt. Charles B. McVay III, commanding officer of the cruiser USS Indianapolis which was sunk last July 30.
The Indianapolis, flagship of the Fifth Fleet, sailed from San Francisco July 16, 1945, on a special high-speed run to Guam carrying atomic bomb material.
The ship delivered her cargo and was lost after departing from Guam.
The sinking was announced August 14 – just a few minutes before President Truman announced Japan’s acceptance of the U.S. surrender terms.
Every one of the 1,196 men aboard was either killed or injured. Capt. McVay was wounded. The casualty list included five dead, 875 missing and 316 wounded.
There has never been any official cause given for the loss of the cruiser.