World War II Honoree

Hugh C. Crews

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Mounds, Oklahoma

Honored By

Kathryn Crews York

Relationship

Sister

DIED IN THE SINKING OF THE CRUISER USS INDIANAPOLIS ON JULY 30, 1945, 16 DAYS BEFORE WAR'S END. COMMISSIONED ON JANUARY 5, 1943. RECEIVED RADAR TRAINING AND REPORTED FOR DUTY IN JANUARY 1944. THE INDY WAS THE FLAGSHIP OF ADMIRAL SPRUANCE UNTIL DAMAGED IN A KAMIKAZE ATTACK OFF OKINAWA. EARNED 5 BATTLE STARS, WHICH INCLUDED THE BATTLES FOR IWO JIMA, SAIPAN, OKINAWA AND THE BOMBING OF TOKYO. THE INDIANAPOLIS DELIVERED THE ATOM BOMB TO THE ISLAND OF TINIAN, BEFORE BEING TORPEDOED BY A JAPANESE SUBMARINE. ONLY 317 OF THE SHIP'S CREW OF 1,196 SURVIVED.