Hiroshima
1945
U.S. Atomic Veterans
Robert Stivanson
To: histgaz@aracnet.com
From: Robert Stivanson
Subject: USS Indianapolis CA 35
Hello Again:
Yes, I was a sailor and it is a rather complicated story about how I managed
to be aboard at that time. I was attached to Admiral Spruances' Flag which
meant that normally I went where he went. Ship to ship or to shore or
whatever. The Indy was our flagship and my Admiral Spruance was Commander
Fifth Fleet which was quite a big deal. All the 5th fleet naval forces
were under our command during invasions etc.
To get on with my explaination.
I was a radio operator with the Flag and we were aboard the Indy at the
beginning of the Okinawa invasion, the day before D-Day there we were hit
with a Kamikazi and the ship was damaged severely. A few days later the
entire flag was transferred to the USS New Mexico and the Indy was sent
back to the states for repairs. Before Okinawa was over we were hit again
on this ship and finally as the campaign wound down we went to Guam where
Commander in Chief of the Pacific was headquartered and the big brass was to plan
the invasion of the Japanese home islands.
At this time anyone in the Flag
who had 18 months overseas was offered the chance to get back to the
states on leave and I sure jumped at that !! Anyway I was back in the
states and enjoying what was to be a 30 day leave when I got a telegram to
report back to the west coast and board the Indy. This was the first part
of July '45 and I duly did what I was told.
Needless to say the 30 day
leave was shortened by three weeks or so! Anyway I went to Frisco and
reported in, and being in the Flag didn't have any asssigned duties, just
to go along for transportation back to Guam. Well once the bomb materials
were loaded and the test went off we left at top speed for Pearl Harbor, then
Tinian (where the atomic materials were unloaded) and to
Guam, where I was disembarked.
Myself and three of the other Flag
personnel were assigned to the Flag Officers cabin during any drills,
general quarters, emergencies and whatever else might come up. So twice
during the voyage we had fires reported and we removed the lead containers
to the main deck, prepared to take them off the ship if there was imminent
danger. The uranium, and I think plutonium, were both stored up there and we
stood by these numerous times bacause of the number of drills taking place
as this was a shakedown cruise more or less after the ship having been in
for major repairs. Anyway I got off at Guam and the ship was to go to the
Phillipines to do a little training exercise and return to pick us up.
But I guess you know the rest of the story? I was transferred off on the 27th
and the ship was torpedoed (by the Japanese) on the night of the 30th. I belong to the
Survivors Association and am listed as former crew. A fellow that lives in
Franklin, Texas was a bugler aboard and was one of the lucky men to have lived
through the sinking and the five days in the water etc. Guess this is long
enough for now, thanks for your interest.
Til next time
Bob Stivanson
j-b@myriad.net
--Keith Whittle, Friday, November 25, 1997