You sunk my battleship... but how many Black sailors were on it?
The story of the USS Indianapolis is a wild one. This ship delivered the atomic bomb parts to Tinian, basically becoming the flying courier service of mass destruction (don't worry, it was a good delivery!). But then, bam! Two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine and the Indy went down faster than a birthday cake at a toddler party.
Here's the thing, though, history sometimes forgets to mention everyone on board. Especially during World War II, when the Navy was, ahem, segregated. So, how many Black sailors were on this top-secret mission?
Hold onto your hats (or helmets, if you're picturing the high seas), because the answer is 28! That's right, 28 African American sailors were part of the crew, most working in the stewards' branch. These guys weren't just serving up fancy meals (although I bet they made a mean gumbo), they were also essential for keeping the ship running smoothly.
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Why is this important? Because for too long, their contribution to this historic mission wasn't recognized. They were dodging torpedoes and keeping the crew fed, all while facing discrimination. But hey, these sailors were tough cookies and helped get that bomb where it needed to be.
Fun Fact: One of the Black sailors on the Indianapolis, Doris Miller, became a national hero a few years earlier at Pearl Harbor. He wasn't supposed to be on a gun crew, but when the attack went down, he jumped in and started blasting away at Japanese planes! Talk about thinking outside the mess hall.
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| How Many Black Sailors Were On The Uss Indianapolis |
But wait, there's more! (Because apparently, I can't resist a good segue)
Finding out how many Black sailors were on the Indy is just one small piece of the story. Here's some extra trivia to keep your brainwaves buzzing:
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- The Indianapolis crew spent FOUR DAYS adrift in the shark-infested waters after the sinking. Yikes.
- Only about 300 of the 1,100 crew members survived. Rough times.
- The Indianapolis was the last major US Navy ship to be sunk by enemy fire. Kind of a bummer way to go out.
You got questions? We got answers! (How-to edition)
How to learn more about the USS Indianapolis? Dive into the deep sea of history books and documentaries! There's a ton of fascinating stuff out there.
QuickTip: Pause to connect ideas in your mind.
How to honor the crew of the Indianapolis? You can visit memorials or even attend events held by survivor groups.
How to avoid sharks in the open ocean? Probably best to stick to swimming pools, unless you're packing some serious anti-shark spray.
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
How to make a mean gumbo? That's a recipe for another day, my friend. But let's just say it involves a whole lot of deliciousness.
How to appreciate history's unsung heroes? Shine a light on the stories that might have been forgotten, including those of the 28 Black sailors on the USS Indianapolis.
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