
USS INDIANAPOLIS FLAG PROGRAM
The Legacy Organization proudly honors American flag requests made by families of the final sailing crew of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). We work in partnership with the Indiana War Memorial to have keepsake United States flags flown over the USS Indianapolis CA-35 Memorial. Indy crew families participating in this program are presented with their family member’s American flag after it has been flown. Also included is a certificate of authenticity dated and signed by J. Stewart Goodwin, Brig Gen, USAF (Ret) Executive Director, Indiana War Memorials Commission. Funding to offset the cost of the program is generously provided by a family of one of those tragically lost-at-sea in the ship’s sinking on July 30, 1945.
The Legacy Organization began its flag flying program during the July, 2018 Indy reunion. Since it's inception, over 40 flags have been flown for Lost at Sea crew members, Deceased Survivors and upon death of current Survivors.
A request to have a flag flown over the Memorial can be made by clicking HERE.
From August 2020 to July 2021, nine American flags have been flown for Indy’s final sailing crew in honor of:
Lost at Sea:
Walter Eugene Izor F1c. ( August 2020)
Harry William Elliott S2c (May 2021)
Melvin Dow Hobbs S1c (June, 2021)
Survivor:
Jim Jarvis AMM3 (June 2020)
Joseph Mikolayek COX (August 2020)
Sherman C. Booth S1 (September 2020)
Robert Witzig FC3 (October 2020)
Edgar Harrell Sgt (May 2021)
James Smith S2c (May 2021)
The Flag Raising ceremony was conducted by:
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Brigadier General Stewart Goodwin (USAF Ret), Executive Director, Indiana War Memorials & Honorary Survivor.
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Michael William Emery, Nephew & Namesake of Lost-at-Sea, William Friend Emery, S1
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Michael Hussey, Honorary Survivor
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Jim Belcher, Son of Survivor James Robert Belcher, S1


USS Indianapolis (CA-35) Legacy Organization
American Flag Flying over the USS Indianapolis CA-35 Memorial