OFFICIAL LEGACY SITE: ENDORSED BY USS INDIANAPOLIS SURVIVORS, FAMILIES OF LOST AT SEA & RESCUE CREW MEMBERS
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What:
USS Indianapolis (CA-35) 2023 REUNION commemorating the 78th Anniversary of the sinking of USS Indianapolis at the site of her final sailing crew’s Last Liberty
When:
Thursday, July 6 to Sunday, July 9, 2023
Where:
Benicia & Mare Island, California
Cost:
All events including Banquet Dinner and Dancing: $110/adult; $50/child (3-12 years)
For those interested in ONLY attending the Banquet Dinner and Dancing, there is a discounted price of $75/adult and $40/child (3-12 years).
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Regional reunions are an opportunity to share unique pieces of USS Indianapolis’ historical journey. This summer the USS Indianapolis CA-35 Legacy Organization is excited to offer you the chance to learn more about Indy’s history on the west coast. The reunion will take place where the final sailing crew had their last liberty (time off from the ship).
So severely damaged in the kamikaze attack in Okinawa on March 31, 1945, Indianapolis returned to the Mare Island shipyard for repairs, setting in motion the chain of events that would lead to her role in delivering the components of the first atomic bomb to Tinian, and ultimately to her tragic demise.
Local Benicia resident and Indy Survivor Harold Bray now lives less than 10 miles from where he reported for duty as one of the final sailing crew members. By July 16, 1945, when the ship passed under the Golden Gate Bridge in the San Francisco Bay, 18-year-old Bray was on his first and only Navy cruise.
Join us as we celebrate the legacy of the entire final sailing crew. There will be a banquet dinner to capture the spirit of 1945, and plenty of chances to reunite with Indy families and friends from near and far. Included in the activities will be a tour of the Mare Island shipyard to see where Indy was in dry dock, and plenty of other local surprises.
All are welcome… Bring the family! Activities for all ages!
An educational opportunity you won’t want to miss!
Daytime casual attire. Dress up for dinner and dancing on Saturday – 1940’s attire optional.
2023 Reunion Highlights Include:
• Evening Welcome Presentation
• Liberty time in San Francisco – Ferry Ride
• Unveiling of Statue Honoring Harold Bray and USS Indianapolis
• Livestream podcast of “The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War”
• Tour of Mare Island and Discussion of Indy’s Refitting
• Banquet Dinner and 1940’s-Style Dance
• Remembrance
Throughout the reunion we will offer:
■ Educational offerings for all ages.
■ USS Indy merchandise store.
■ Updates on Legacy Organization’s programs and opportunities for involvement.
■ Time to reconnect with each other and build new friendships.
A Note About the Fees
The registration fee includes scheduled reunion programs, banquet dinner and entertainment, and scheduled shuttle transportation from the featured hotels to reunion programs. All participants must register and pay in advance. For those who wish to skip the daytime programs and attend the banquet, there is a reduced fee.
We highly recommend that you stay in Benicia. Please note that hotel reservations are separate from event registration. We have blocked hotel rooms at two preferred hotels. Breakfasts are included at the hotels we have selected. The hotels are located approximately three quarters of a mile from each other. The Holiday Inn Express is located in the downtown area of Benicia. It is a small hotel. The second choice is the Best Western Plus which is larger and has a pool. Both hotels include breakfast options. All activities will be scheduled at various venues in Benicia or Mare Island.
The amount of a contribution that is deductible for federal income tax purposes is limited to the amount contributed, less the fair market value of goods and services received. For the 2023 reunion, the value of goods and services received exceeds registration fees. Therefore, there is no tax-deductible component to registration fees.
For those Traveling by Air:
Benicia can be easily reached from the Sacramento International Airport (65 miles to the north), Oakland International Airport (38 miles to the south), San Jose International Airport (60 miles to the south), or San Francisco International Airport (48 miles to the southwest). Traffic will influence travel times. For many, Sacramento Airport is preferred because it is simply easier to get in and out of from an on-ground transportation viewpoint. There are several transportation options available at each airport, including rental car, private shuttle, group shuttle and public transportation. Guests are responsible for their own transportation to the hotels.
In Memoriam – Rest in Peace. Your story will not be forgotten.
Sadly, in late September 2022, we said farewell to Survivor Cleatus Lebow, who passed away at the age of 98. We know how precious it has been to have the Survivors of USS Indianapolis (CA-35) to attend the reunions in years past, and we were blessed that he was able to be with us in Fredericksburg, Texas in May 2022. With Cleatus’ passing, there is only one Survivor remaining, Harold Bray. Please join us in his hometown this summer.
Remembering Indianapolis’s Rescuers
