This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2017
Presented here is a poster signed 44 surviving members of the crew of the USS Indianapolis. She was the flagship of Admiral Raymond Spruance while he commanded the Fifth Fleet in battles across the Central Pacific.
Active during World War II, the Indianapolis made a daring, high speed voyage to deliver crucial parts for the construction of the Little Boy atomic bomb to the Tinian airbase in the Northern Mariana Islands. Shortly afterward, the Indianapolis was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-58 while traveling near Palau. The Indianapolis sunk almost immediately, and by the time rescue efforts reached the ship over 800 of the ships nearly 1,200 seamen had met their fate.
This was the greatest loss of life at sea in US Navy history. This poster shows the Indianapolis coursing through the high seas, its slate gray body in stark contrast with the blue skies and seas. Below the Indianapolis are the gray pencil signatures of 44 of its sailors. This print has been signed by William, Akins, Donald Beaty, James Belcher, Louis Bitonti, Donald Blum, Edward Brown, Lindsey Carter, Frank Centazzo, Loel Cox (signed twice), William Drayton, Joseph Dronet, Buck Gibson, Jacob Greenwald, Edgar Harrell, George Horvath, John Howison, Clarence Hupka, Gust Kay, Joselph Klaus, Michael Kuryla, George Laws, Cleatus LeBow, Sam Lopez, Salvador Maldonado, Paul McGinnis, Robert McGuiggan, Jarnes Beane, Glen Milbrodt, Paul Murphy, Alexander Nuttall, James O’Donnell, Richard Paroubek, Lyle Pasket, Norman Roberts, Donald Shown, Jack Slankard, Andre Sospizio, Richard Stephens, Richard Thelen, Harlan Twible, Lindsey Wilcox, Robert Witzig and Charles Zink. This item, an artist’s proof 42 out of 100, comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (AB12857).