World War II Honoree

Donald L. Beaty

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Honored By

Terry MacDonald

SEAMAN 1ST CLASS, RADIOMAN. SERVED ABOARD THE HEAVY CRUISER USS INDIANAPOLIS CA-35. IT SAW ACTION IN THE PACIFIC THEATER AT THE GILBERT ISLANDS, MARSHALL ISLANDS, MARIANA ISLANDS, PELELIU AND IWO JIMA. IT WAS THE FLAGSHIP OF THE 5TH FLEET. IN JULY 1945, IT DELIVERED URANIUM 235 TO THE TINIAN ISLANDS FOR THE ATOMIC BOMBS. IT WAS SUNK ON JULY 30, 1945; ONE OF THE LAST SHIPS SUNK IN THE WAR. HE WAS ONE OF 316 MEN TO SURVIVE OUT OF A CREW OF 1,196 SAILORS.