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On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed. Of the 1,196 aboard, about 900 made it into the water in the twelve minutes before she sank. Few life rafts were released. Most survivors wore the standard kapok life jacket. Due to her top secret mission, she was not reported missing. Shark attacks began with sunrise of the first day, and continued for five days until the men were finally spotted in the water and rescued. Only 316 men were left to survive. Charles Cromling was a platoon sergeant in the Marine Detachment assigned to the ship.
_congressional_gold_medal.png?ixlib=java-2.3.0&w=100&s=93d292fb9d7046635202e456f0ff4544 "USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35) Congressional Gold Medal")
