USS Indianapolis

05/23/2026

On this Memorial Day, we remember the 888 crewmen of USS Indianapolis who never came home.

From the 9 men lost in the kamikaze attack on March 31, 1945, to the 879 sailors and Marines lost after the sinking on July 30, 1945, their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

They were only boys and young men to many who loved them. Sons. Brothers. Husbands. Fathers. Friends. Their lives, their sacrifices, and their stories deserve to be remembered, not just today, but always.

In the comments below, we invite you to share the names and photos of your own loved ones who gave their lives in service to our country, so that together, we may honor and remember them this Memorial Day weekend. 🇺🇸

05/19/2026

Help Keep USS Indianapolis: The Legacy (Documentary) Available for Future Generations!

This Memorial Day marks 10 years since the release of USS Indianapolis: The Legacy. When we made this film, our goal was simple: honor the crew, the rescuers, and the families by preserving their stories in their own words before those voices were lost to time.

Now, the distribution agreement for the film is up for renegotiation.

If you want to keep this documentary available free on Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms, and continue allowing teachers, museums, veterans groups, and nonprofits to use it for free educational purposes, we need to show distributors that people are still watching and still care about this story.

So this week, we’re asking for a simple favor: watch the film. Share it with a friend or family member. Even clicking play and letting it run helps show there is still an audience for preserving this history.

Here's the Amazon link to make it easier, but it's on YouTube and Tubi for free too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0C4YFHLK6/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Thank you, as always, for your support and for helping keep their legacy alive.

Available Now on Digital and DVD or Blu-ray. See below for details.Based on the largest collection of original source material available on the subject, The...

05/02/2026

We send our heartfelt (and very well deserved) congratulations to our friend — and honorary USS Indianapolis survivor — Captain William Toti, USN (Ret.), as he steps into this important new role.

Toti has been selected to perform the duties of Under Secretary of the Navy, as announced by Hung Cao.

A former commanding officer of USS Indianapolis (SSN-697) and Commodore of Submarine Squadron 3, Bill’s leadership and service have long stood as an example to us all.

Congratulations, Bill—we couldn’t be more proud.

04/17/2026

Thankful to Paul D. Everts for sharing the story of his grandfather and the crew of USS Indianapolis.

As executive officer aboard the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis, CDR Flynn passed along the order to abandon ship. He is remembered for his heroic actions following a Japanese submarine attack.

The Indianapolis delivered parts for the atomic b*mb that would be dropped on Hiroshima, Japan—leading to the end of World War II.

[story link in comments]

America250, Freedom 250, U.S. Department of Education, National Memorial Day Concert (PBS), Association of the United States Navy, USS Indianapolis, Naval History & Heritage Command, America 250 Civics Education Coalition, The National WWII Museum, Hillsdale College K-12 Education

04/10/2026

Today we remember USS Thresher (SSN-593), honoring the 129 men who were lost when she went down during deep-diving tests on April 10, 1963.

We also remember a man whose life was closely tied to tragedy, and to remembrance.

John Woolston, a survivor of USS Indianapolis (CA-35), later served as a naval officer and chief engineer for Thresher. By chance, he was not aboard Thresher on that day.

John had already survived one of the worst naval disasters in U.S. history, only to see another claim so many friends among the submarine force he was part of.

Like so many survivors, he carried the weight of that experience for the rest of his life, along with the quiet question of why he was spared.

Those who knew him remember that he made a point of ensuring the men of Thresher were not forgotten. When visitors came to see him in Hawaii, he would take them to the memorial at Pearl Harbor, making sure their story was told and remembered, just as he had done for his shipmates of Indianapolis.

Today, we remember them all.

04/07/2026

Tomorrow morning, April 8, something very special will take place in Iowa.

The Iowa House will read House Resolution 114 into the official record, honoring the 34 men from Iowa who served aboard USS Indianapolis.

The House gavels in at 8:30 AM, with the resolution expected to be read around 8:40 AM. If you’d like to watch live, we’ll share the link in the comments. Just click on the House side for the live broadcast.

Moments like this matter. They ensure these men are remembered not just in history books, but in the official record of their home state.

A heartfelt thank you to Jeff Ortiz, nephew of Orlando Ortiz, who was killed in action aboard USS Indianapolis when she sank. Jeff, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Legacy organization, helped write this resolution and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to see it through.

And thank you to Brett Barker for formally entering it.

For the men of USS Indianapolis… We remember. Always.

03/31/2026

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.

03/14/2026

There’s something special about hearing history told by the right voice.

Award-winning voice actor John Bedford Lloyd is back in the recording booth, bringing *The Dangerous Shore* audiobook to life. If you’ve listened to him before, you already know the power he brings to these stories.

Many of you first heard John narrate the story of INDIANAPOLIS by Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic— a performance that left listeners completely immersed in one of the most gripping WWII stories ever told.

Now he’s taking us somewhere different.

This time the story unfolds on the American homefront, where spies, the mob, naval intelligence, and ordinary citizens all collide in a little-known chapter of World War II. It’s a story of unlikely people stepping forward at a moment when the country needed them most.

And hearing John tell it… well, that’s an experience all its own.

If you loved being transported by his narration before, we think you’re going to love taking this journey with him too. 🎧📚

03/03/2026

Love learning more about WWII history??? Check out WW2TV with Paul Woodadge. This Friday, Sara Vladic will be joining the show talking about history, USS Indianapolis, and soon to be released, The Dangerous Shore, about the WWII home front. You won’t want to miss it!

More info below in the comments.

02/03/2026

This Saturday, February 7, at 1 pm, join us at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial Chapel for a special Reflections on Military Service dedication honoring Cleatus Lebow of Memphis, Texas, and USS Indianapolis.

The new permanent exhibit will remember the Sailors who carried the weapon that helped end World War II and endured unimaginable hardship when USS Indianapolis was sunk on July 30, 1945.

Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2018 for their perseverance, bravery, and service, the crew’s story reflects the highest values of courage and sacrifice.

Please join us as we honor their legacy. Light snacks will follow the ceremony.

12/13/2025

As 2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of USS Indianapolis, we’re reminded again why keeping this story alive matters—so future generations can learn from it, remember it, and carry it forward.

We are especially grateful for people like Chris Greenbauer and his son, Tanner, who found one of the coolest ways imaginable to honor Indy and her crew—by proudly placing the ship’s name and the cover of INDIANAPOLIS by Lynn Vincent & Sara Vladic on Tanner’s race car. 🏁🇺🇸

Chris and Tanner are a father–son racing team out of Michigan. Tanner started racing go-karts at just six years old and, at only 14, jumped into the Modified Division at I-96 Speedway, earning Rookie of the Year. Big WWII history buffs, they shared how much the book meant to them—and chose to showcase it on their car as a tribute, alongside their always red, white, and blue design.

They ran a strong season, finishing top 10 in points by a single point, learning and getting faster every week. While the final two nights ended in hard crashes, we’re thankful Tanner is okay. They’re already working to build a new car for next season—and yes, USS Indianapolis will be back on it.

If you love history, grassroots racing, or supporting families who honor the past while chasing big dreams, keep an eye on—and support—the Greenbauer Racing Team as they look ahead to next season.

Thank you, Chris and Tanner, for carrying Indy’s legacy forward in such a powerful and unexpected way. 💙