HENRY JAY "JACK" MINER
Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2008
He was 19 and a radio technician for just 13 days when his ship, the cruiser USS Indianapolis was hit and sunk. He floated in the pacific for 4 days and was one of only 317 who survived the worst single loss of life at sea ever for the US Navy. Many survived the attack but died of exposure, dehydration and shark attacks.
Another sailor had swiped his mattress so he was sleeping on a cot topside and that probably saved his life.
The Indianapolis was torpedoes July 30, 1945 while returning from a mission to deliver the atom bombs. Since the mission was top secret, not many knew about it further complication the matter.
He had a life jacket and held on to a buddy as long as he could, but he slipped top his death. He would wind his watch to keep track of time and think of his parents back home.
Mr. Miner was an active member of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Associated and testified in Washington, DC, in the 1990s to clear the name of his captain, Charles Butler McVay III, who was courtmartialed for not doing enough to avoid the attack. President Clinton cleared the captain in October 2000.
MICHAEL KURYLA, JR., 84
Died October 3, 2009
Among 317 rescued after floating in the Pacific for almost five days.
Mr. Kuryla wouldn't talk about it for many years, but became an active speaker and advocate when the survivors came together to clear successfully their captain's name.
Born 1925 and enlisted while a junior in high school. he was in several Pacific battles before the sinking and said many died from drinking salt water.
He was active in and a leader in the Survivors Association and helped raise money to build the memorial to the ship in Indianapolis.
Oct. 10, 2009 Chicago Tribune
The Greatest Generation
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