03/31/2026
🇺🇲In Memory🇺🇲
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81 years ago today, on March 31, 1945, the crew of USS Indianapolis faced one of the most terrifying realities of the war in the Pacific.
Leading up to the Battle of Okinawa, as Admiral Raymond A. Spruance’s flagship, Indianapolis was operating in the danger zone and what would be the heart of one of the deadliest naval battles in history.
Thousands of American sailors were killed or wounded, and more than 100 ships were sunk or damaged by kamikaze attacks.
Indianapolis shot down six attacking planes. Every one of those mattered. History has shown that even a single aircraft could cripple or destroy a warship.
When her moment came, the crew had less than 25 seconds to react.
A kamikaze dove out of the sun.
They hit it.
But in its final seconds, the pilot released a bomb. It tore through the ship and detonated beneath her, causing devastating damage.
Nine men were lost.
Some never saw the sky. Some were deep within the ship when fuel tanks ruptured. It is a stark reminder that at sea, there is no safe place.
Survival is often a matter of chance.
This attack also set something much larger into motion.
Because of this damage, Indianapolis was sent to Mare Island for repairs. Because of those repairs, she would later be available for a mission that would change the course of history.
Today, we remember the nine who gave their lives on March 31.
We say their names.
We remember their sacrifice.
Learn more about the stories of these 9 heroes, and all those who paid the ultimate price aboard USS Indianapolis by visiting Project 888.
