Louis H. Erwin Letters Regarding the Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis

Abstract

Erwin notes that while in the water he "pulled his life jacket down to sit on it and get his head up higher to keep waves out of my mouth." He mentions that the captain of the U.S.S. Cecil J. Doyle coming to rescue them "had his big big "search light" turned straight up to the sky. So the light would bounce off the clouds and the boys in the water would see it and hold on a little longer. This was truly a Brave [sic] thing for that captain to do. As he was in"Enemy Waters" and was putting his ship and men in danger of the enemy.