Today despite the unprecedented circumstances, we come together as the United States congress bestows its highest honor the congressional gold medal of the crewmen of the uss indianapolis. Thank you to the entire indiana delegation, indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and secretary of the navy, and Brigadier General goodwin for your efforts to make this momentous event as possible. Thank you as well to leader mitch mccom, senator schumer, and Kevin Mcconnell to ensure this would be a successful and thank you to the heroes of it is uss indianapolis. Please stand, as you are able, for the presentation of the colors and the national anthem. Halt. Present arms. O say, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . Let us pray. Dear lord, we ask your blessing today on the survivors of the uss indianapolis their family members, friends and members of the Legacy Organization at this virtual reunion. Every since the first reunion on july 30th and 31st of 1960, which was organized by giles mccoy and 15 survivors, these men have gathered to remember and to give thanks. They know the importance of reflecting on the sacrifices of the men who were lost at sea and the lifelong hardships of the men who survived and continue to grieve for their shipmates. They cherish their memories. Over the years the survivors and families have built tremendous bonds of friendship and mutual support. The men who sailed on the uss indianapolis, one of only two portland class heavy cruisers were awarded ten battle stars for their bravery and the final mission played a vital role in ending the war. Lord, we are blessed to be able to honor the survivors who are still living. Continue to bless them and their families and all the friends and supporters who keep alive the memories of the brave men of the uss indianapolis. We ask all of this in your holy name. Amen. Good day, ladies and gentlemen. Im sam cox, the director of the naval history and heritage command. Today we commemorate the valor and sackries fights of the sailors who served aboard the indianapolis which she was torpedoed in the last days of the war on 30th july 1945. Only 316 of her crew survived the 12 minutes it took the ship to sink and the horrific four days adrift in the open ocean afterwards. Its also important to know that the crew of the indianapolis were heroes long before she was hit. The ship served in ten major battles throughout the pacific war from the 1st u. S. Navys offensive actions in the hot topics, to the fridged water of the alialeutians, from the it carolyns through iwo jima and on to okinawa, frequently bombing enemy ceptions on shore in support of marines. She shot down nine enemy aircraft before she was badly damaged by a japanese c, she to the first atomic bomb to the base on tin yan island. She did so in record time. Only a few days she had her there are numerous lessons learned. If there is a lesson from the survivors, its never, ever give up. Thank you. On behalf of every sailor, marine, civilian in the navy serving today, i send our sincere thanks to your records of service. From pearl harbor to the final days of, you and your ship mates completed mission after mission, taking the fight to the enemy, and changing the course of history. In the waning days of the war you didnt stop when a kamikaze hit your ship. You didnt know the cargo you carried from San Francisco to t marianneis islands would change the course. You just knew it had to make it through. You set speed records, kept the watch, and braved the waters to deliver the atomic bomb. If it wasnt for you and your shipmates, history may have turned out very differently. We all americans owe you a debt of gratitude. We must always hold close to those who died when your storied ship was torpedoed, and those who we can never forget the astounding gift and bravely shown by those who lived to tell the tale. We can never relinquished the important lessons ar navy learned from that tragedy. Each of you added significantly to the remarkable story of our navy, to our traditions and youre ethos of service above self. And your service you are your sackry vice embody the core tenets honor, courage and commitment. To to you, we the navy salute you out of respect and admiration. We thank you for your service to make us stand a little taller, a little prouder, for all you did. Broadca bravo zulu, shipmates. Its my great honor on this 75th anniversary to salute the crew of the uss indianapolis. You and your shipmates answered the call at a critical time in the life of our nation, indeed the world, and your courage and devotion to duty in the face of danger preserved freedom both here on the homeland and around the globe. Your bravery set an enduring example, influenced generations of service members. As a navy man, i could not be more proud that the legacy of the uss indianapolis your legacy is carried forward today by a magnificent ship that sails until the same stars and stripes and proudly bears the same name. By its crew, who now follow in your footsteps. Youre heroes in ever sense y s the world and totally deserves of this congressional gold medal. On behalf of 6. 7 million hoosiers, thank you, to you and your families, for your service and your lifetime of sacrifice. Thank to all of you. Im joe donnelly, the former senator from indianapolis. I am so proud to have been the sponsor of this legislation, along with my colleagues so that the crew of the uss indianapolis would get this long deserves congressional gold medal. Our ship is the stuff of legend. It was host to president roosevelt. The recipient of ten battle stars for its service. It was the ship chosen for the excrete mission that helped end world war ii. The haeart of this medal were te men who served. They fought to defend our country, put their lives on the line. They never gave up against incredible odds, and they showed incredible grit and determination and patriotism. Those of us who are from indiana and indianapolis are incredibly proud that the crew and the ship carry the name of our capital city into battle with such amazing such and determination. The name uss indianapolis is still today sailing the seas and serves o s our nation. That crew who is on the seas today is to try to live up to the example and the determination and the legend that was set by heavy cruiser indianapolis and the crew. To our crew, thank you from a grateful nation for your courage, for your service, for your bravery while fighting to defend the United States. This gold medal is well deserved, and it only scratches the surface of how much we love you, care about you, and you are grateful for your Amazing Service to our country. May god bless the crew of the uss indianapolis. May god bless the state of indiana and the city of indianapolis. And may got bless the United States of america. The uss indianapolis name after the state capital of indiana and her crew showed courage and fortitude bedownmeasure in service to our nation and to the cause of freedom and liberty. Commissioned in 1932, the uss indianapolis was active in the Pacific Theater and saw action in many of the major battles fought in the pacific. She and her crew played an Important Role in helping to secure a victory on the floor japan. Unbeknownst the crew, they would bring the parts of also boy to japan. Sadly, shortly after making its delivery, the uss indianapolis was hit and sump by a japanese torpedo. About 300 men were trapped inside the ship and lost their lives. 900 men escaped from the ship and went into the water where hundreds died for the next four days before help arrived. Of the 1,196 men who served, only 316 survived the sinking. The stories relayed by the surviving sailors tell a tale of fear and desperation, but also of heroism and brotherhood. Im honored to be part of the ceremony of awarding the entire crew the congressional gold medal and recognizing the sacrifice they made. Hello hello hello. This is congressman carson. Im extremely pleased to take part in the ceremony honoring the veterans of the uss indianapolis and their families. I also want to thank our congressional lead eers and everyone who has helped make this ceremony so special. You know, 75 years after the tragic sinking the values displayed by the brave americans on board continue to guide us. In these very tough times theyre more important than ever. We are eternally grateful to the people on this ship and can never fully repay the debt. We honor the hundreds who died, as well as their loved ones who still grieve to this day. We thank the survivors, particularly those who are still with us, who have spent their lives making sure we never forgot the heroism displayed that day. It is my hope that this congressional gold medal helps future generations of americans also remember the sacrifices of the greatest generation. In the meantime, we still have more work ahead of us to properly honor them by ensuring the freedoms they fought for are protected. So lets come together as americans to continue this important journey toward justice for all. Thank you. Hello, im senator todd young. As a marine, i want to extend my sincere esst gratitude of the indianapolis surviving one of the most harrowing attacks in u. S. History which you experienced must never be forgotten. You and your shipmates were on a mission to save the world. You helped put an end to the unspeakable evil of world war ii. In honor of your bravery, i worked with former senator joe donnelly to pass legislation granting the congressional gold medal to the crew aboard the uss indianapolis. This is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States congress. Today, its an honor to finally be able to help present this medal in honor of your service and sacrifice to our great nation. On behalf of hoosiers and all americans, i say thank you. Your bravery and courage continues to inspire and i wish you all fair winds and follows seas. God bless. It is my privilege to join my colleagues from the house and senate to present the sailors of the uss indianapolis the congressional gold medal. In july of 1945, after deliver in secret the key ingredients of the atomic bomb, the 1200 sailors embarked on the 1,300mile voyage without escort of antisubmarine vessels. In the early hours, the indianapolis was sunk. The remaining 900 were stranded at sea for four days out of the water or food, suffering from dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacked before the navy found them. By the time the rescue came only 316 of the 1200 had survived. It was the single greatest loss of life from one ship in naval history and one of the greatest naval disasters. So today we present the god medals, but its a tribute intended for all 1200 sailors. In the final tragic hours diminished no way the sacrifice made by the 900 men and boys 75iers half a world away. As we say thank you, a grateful nation pledges to never forget what happened to the uss indianapolis and always remember the patriots lost in that attack. I wish we could observe this moment in person, but wherever you all may be, i offer you to sailors and families of all the crew members, our greatest measure of thanks. May you all by safe and healthy, and god bless you and all your loved ones. Those presence at the commissioning of the uss indianapolis in november 1932 knew they were looking at a mighty ship. They had no idea it would carry a warending superweapons across the pacific. A decade later, they knew it would take courage and perseverance, but even they could not have imagined how that would until fold on july 30th, 1945. Americas sons had many names for bravery, but the crew of the indianapolis remain in a certain class of their own. Already their ship had served as the admirals flagship and earned ten battle stars in hardfought engagements all across the Pacific Theater. Already her crew had secretly put gears in motion to end the war. But their fight didnt end with the worst of the enemy. They also had to face the worst of mother nature. In an instant her crew went from fighting the battles without to fighting the battles within. They fought to stay alert, to look after each other, literally to hold on for dear life. Our nation lost hundreds of heroes in those harrowing days. Just last month we lost one more, tony king. Those who perished in the water gave our nation the ultimate sacrifice. Those who survived shared their wisdom and example with us for decades more. The true legacy of the indianapolis was secured before the torpedos struck. Her crew turned the tide of the war, so to her crewmen stip keeping watch, who joined us today, your congress and your nation say thank you. 75 years ago in the final months of world war ii the crew of the uss indianapolis departed San Franciscos Hunters PointNaval Shipyard on a top secret mission, the recordsetting voyage changed naval history, and brought the war to an end. For that is indispensable contributions to the advancement of freedom and democracy, the uss indianapolis 1195 decreemen are worthy of our greatest esteem. Its further to acknowledge the tragedy that followed in the Early Morning hours of july 30th, 1945. That harrowing five night and four day ordeal stole the lives of hundreds, and cemented the uss indianapolis and its crew forever in the hearts of the american people. 316 men returned home and dedicated their lives to ensuring that the memory of their fallen comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice would continue to be honored. Sadly last month we lost a cherished member of the uss indianapolis veterans community, a constituent of mine from San Francisco, a. C. Tony king. We wish he were with us to see this historic day. Today, just eight as you see indianapoli indianapolis veterans remain. Bestowing on them the congressional gold medal enables them to now take their rightful place in the pantheon of american heroes, whose exceptional valor and service have immeasurably strengthened our nation. In accepting the award, they bring luster to it as their Service Brings luster to the United States of america. On behalf of the United States congress and a grateful nation, im pleased to present this congressional gold medal to the crew of the as you see indianapolis in recognition of the perseveres, bravery and service. This will be proudly displayed at the indiana war museum, where it will continue to educate and inspire generations of patriotic americans. Thank you. 75 years ago the indianapolis plunged into the depths of the Pacific Ocean when it was struck by two japanese torpedos. That sinking is not what thrust the indianapolis into the annals of history. What we memorialize here today is the accomplishments of the crew, not the fact that they were sunk. They struggled for almost five days in the water just to survive. Then for the next five decades they continued to fight. They did not fight for recognition for themselves. They did not fight for restitution from the navy for the awful fact that they are forgotten in the water. They fought for their captains name. Today the surviving crew members of the indianapolis have asked me to speak on their behave. They pulled me into their fight when i was still captain of a submarine. I have proudly joined them in their fight to exonerate their captain. Over the years i have come to know and admire nearly 200 of the survivors line sergeant harold. Today, as i speak these words, only eight survivors remain. They fought for over 55 years to get the navy to do the right thing for their captain, but in the end, it was an act of congress that exonerated him. In may 2001, i was proud to enter congresss exoneration language into captain mcvays service record. That year i was equally proud to help present the foundation to the crew of the quits indianapolis. It took over 55 years for the navy to officially acknowledge the ships accomplishments, but it got done. Today it is congress again that makes things right, by honoring the crew that has done so much for this country. This congressional gold medal does not recognize only the survivors. It recognizes all of these crew members, both survives and lost at sea. It recognized the fighting ships crew, one that helped end the most terrible war this world has ever known. It recognizes among the best that the United States navy has to offer. This honor was not sought by them. They did not ask to congress to receive this recognition. It comes completely unexpected. As for the rest of us, we know that it comes completely deserved. Not one crew member of the indianapolis, not one, would ever describe themselves as a hero. But they would all say that they served in a crew of heroes. On behalf of the entire crew of uss indianapolis, survivors lost at sea and families members, i would like to thank congress of the United States for this great honor. I know how grateful they are, living and dead. I must convey that gratitude on their behalf. Thank you and god bless. Hello. My name is Stewart GoodwinBrigadier General retired and executive director of the indianas war museums. We at the manage pros that honor with emphasis on hoosier veterans. Included in this is the museum that will be the location of the gold medal. The story behind this presentation of this national aware is one of the most history military missions, of that the families have never received the recognition they deserve. That is why this presentation represents the gratitude from our nation for all those touched by this amazing story form the thinking of the uss indianapolis inflicted numerous actions that included instant death, lifethreatening burns, broken bones, emotional distress, and the crew during 4 and a half days of strong seas, no shark attacks, would doubt they would ever be rescued. Many survivors say it was their faith in god that pulled them through this horrific ordeal. Most of us would agree there are no words that adequately express for those who survived the respect and heartfelt gratitude for what they endured so we can live free. However, there