Memorable Moments
One of my most memorable moments while serving on the U.S.S. Indiana was the witnessing of the signing of the Instrument of Surrender in Tokyo Bay aboard the U.S.S. Missouri on September 2, 1945, - three days before my 19th birthday. We were separated from the Missouri by only a small patch of water, It was truly a grand finale to what had become a way of life while serving as a gunner in the 4th Division on the 4OMM mounts.
With my comrades, I saw much action such as the Turkey Shoot and we were also present in Japanese waters as the atomic bomb was dropped. We also witnessed the June 1945 typhoon that caused major damage to several ships in our fleet. Although very scary and devastating, it was almost a diversion to the everyday horrors that was becoming only too commonplace, too acceptable.
Although I was thrilled because I knew I would soon be homeward bound to my family and my future wife, I also knew I would be experiencing feelings of sadness as I said goodbye to 'The Lady' The Mighty Indiana - and to my comrades who had been as close as any brother for almost two years. The Indiana was a great influence in my becoming a man at an early age and a catalyst in helping guide me through my later years, On my 19th birthday - September 5, 1945 - the Indiana pulled into Tokyo Bay and on September 14, 1945, The Lady pulled anchor and left for home. A greater ship, a greater crew never sailed the mighty seas!
Leroy James Croteau, Seaman 1c, Fourth Division

Remembrance
Was sent to Great Lakes Illinois for training in Boot Camp. Boarded the USS Indiana Battleship on October 1942 in Portland, Maine.
Served in the 3rd Division, EX1 Division, and the E Division. I was in the E Division when the collision occurred, sleeping in the scullery on a cot.
The hole from the collision was about 15 feet from where I was sleeping. I was knocked to the deck, and was unconscious for a time. When I realized where I was, the water had risen to our waists, there were sparks all around us, oil in the water and the door was locked. The men were screaming and pounding on the door trying to get out. A man sleeping near me was washed out of the hole into the sea.
After some time, General Quarters was called, and the door was unlocked.
I went to the Distribution Room(Aft). There I was asked what had happened. I answered that I thought a torpedo had hit us. Then we were ordered to Abandon Ship, and report to Port side. Many men were in the water yelling, and destroyers picked up some of them. We were then ordered to General Quarters. I left the ship in October 1944.
I went on a 20-day leave in October or November of 1944. After my leave, I went to Shoemaker California Distribution Center to report for duty. I was hospitalized at Shoemaker Naval Hospital from December 1944 until May 5, 1945, at which time I received a Medical Dischage because of injuries I received during the collision.
Conrad Paskel Barfield, Seaman 2c, EX1 Division

Saga Of The USS Indiana (Verse)
On the 30th of April in '42,
A ship was commissioned and given a crew
Two thousand men in sailor suits,
Eleven hundred and sixty-two boots.

They all came aboard in a salty manner
As they carried their bags 'board the INDIANA
Some hailed from the cities, some from the "Sticks"
A few Navy men and the rest "V-6".

This crew was a motley assortment of men
Who would play a large role in this war to win.
So here's an introduction to some of the crew,
We'll try our best to describe them to you.

The first man of all is our fightin' skipper,
Who can spot a ship once and know he can whip her.
With him there to lead us and give us the dope
For our opposition we see little hope.

Now the next man in rank is our rugged Exec.
Who is tied up in work up to his neck.
But out of that lash-up he pulled from his sleeve
A way to give most of us several days leave.

Commander Withington is boss of the guns
From missing a target he actually shuns.
With that type instruction, with him there to lead
There'll be no word "miss" when we draw a "bead."

Now the INDY'S "First Luff" is a salty old tar.
Another Commander, his name is Farrar.
For keeping the ship clean and in fighting trim,
Most of the credit we owe to him.

And the man to see for the latest word
Is Lieutenant W. J. Scott the III.
A man of integrity, wisdom and wit
He takes care of any chit.

And now for the enlisted personnel
Who will be in there fightin' and giving them hell
Be it the Jap or the Nazi upon the high seas
They will all soon be begging upon their knees.

Now from the old CONCORD it was our fate,
To get Julian A. Jones, Chief Boatswain's Mate
Of all the enlisted men he is the top
In his exaulted position of Number One Cop.

Now life in the Exec's office is never dull
The man in charge is Chief Yeoman Hull
He's the enlisted man whose in the know
He can always be reached at 760.

Now the mess cooks sea daddy is CBM White
Who insures that the mess hall is always run right.
He's a 'square shootin' man they all will admit
Though they know he can not pronounce the word "quit."

There also a yeoman who works like hell
Cyril C. Doyle - Personnel
There's no one else able to wear his shoes
Because they don't know how to sing the blues

Oh for the men who make up the crew.
There's work to be done and we'll do it too
Now the days of commissioning are in the past
The WAR must be won and the die is now cast.

Let this be a memo to all concerned
He who plays with fire is sure to be burned
The Japs started a fire when they bombed us at Pearl
But they will get burned when we join the whirl.

We have this to say to the Nazis and the Japs
Your wholesale aggression will come to a zap
So the rising sun will shine no more
upon that bleak and desolate shore.
FOR THE JAPS MADE UNCLE SAMMY SORE.
Joseph R. Sutherly, Yeoman 2c and Harold E. Harris, Yeoman 3c, CY Division

Things I Remember
First let me thank you and commend you for putting together a really time consuming and informative web site on the U.S.S. Indiana, BB58. As you will soon see, I was a plank owner of that magnificent ship.

Fifty eight years ago (e-mailed to me 07 December 1999) I was a 21 year old midshipman on the U.S.S. Prairie State which was one of two training schools for Naval Reserve Officers in 1941. Having just graduated with a bachelors degree from the University of Iowa in the summer of 1941 and with a low selective service draft number most of the 1st year law class went in mass to Des Moines and enlisted in the Navy. We knew war was coming.

The Prairie State was at one time the Battleship Illinois. The superstructure had been removed and a barn like structure built over the main deck. It was tied up on the east side of the Hudson River just below the George Washington Bridge in New York City. We were one of the early classes of 90 day wonders. Our class started in the first week of September 1941 and we were graduated as Ensigns in the first week of 1942. Most of us were from the midwest - but all sections of the country were well represented. I remember well two real characters from Texas and then there was Klemanski. He was a short little red headed boy from The Bronx. Nobody tried harder than Klemanski. Big heart, great attitude, but a little slow upstairs. Just barely tall enough to get into the Navy at that time. Well, two of my buddies and I decided we just wouldn't let Klemanski flunk out so every night after "lights out" we drilled him on navigation, seamanship, communications, etc for an extra two hours. Our greatest thrill was when he made it - he got his Ensign bars. At that time all Naval Officers had to buy a sword - to be worn on formal occasions. The problem with Klemanski's sword was that he was so short it drug on the ground when he wore it. We finally found a naval supply store in Manhattan where he traded his regulation sword for a short one. Odd isn't it the things we remember about our experiences in those years.

Upon graduation there were about 8 of us from our class that was assigned to Fighter Direction School, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. The British had just invented a new device called "radar" which they used to direct their friendly fighter planes against enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain. Ours was the second class at the Fighter Direction School. The first class was already assigned to the few remaining capital ships in the Pacific. There is where we first became indoctrinated in the use of terms used in directing our planes against enemy aircraft such as "tally ho", "bogey" , "angels", etc.

Upon graduation some six weeks later we were qualified "fighter directors" and all of us were assigned to new battleships and aircraft carriers being built. A buddy of mine was assigned to the South Dakota and I to the Indiana. He was killed in the battle off Savo Island when a Japanese shell ripped through and destroyed Radar Plot which on the South Dakota was located high up on the main mast in the top lookout station. On the Indiana "Radar Plot" was located on the bridge level just aft of the Navigators office.

At the time of assignment to the Indiana it was still at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. and everything was a mess. Guns were being installed, much of the electrical and communication equipment was being fitted and installed and tested, bunks and kitchen equipment were being assembled and installed and the first crew was being assembled. There was no place to eat or sleep aboard ship and besides the shipbuilders were working on it 24 hours a day. Barracks were built 4 or 5 miles south of the Norfolk Naval Air Station and about 6 of us new officers plus a couple of Chiefs were assigned to go there and train and indoctrinate the brand new U.S.S. Indiana Crew being assigned. Most of the crew members were right out of high school and boot camp - mostly from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois.

In the meantime the shipbuilders were completing their work and the ship was finally placed in commission April 30, 1942 at which time the Indiana was moved from Newport News to the Norfolk Navy Yard for more completion work and final installations. At that time we three fighter direction officers and 6 enlisted men in Radar Plot were a part of the "L" (lookout division) which was assigned to the Navigator's Department. The Navigator was Commander Wm. Bailey - a truly wonderful and brilliant leader and greatly respected by all of us. The navigator on the Indiana was at that time also assigned responsibility as the "Education" officer - an awesome undertaking considering that probably 80% to 90% of us had never been to sea.

By the middle of May or early June 1942 the ship was sufficiently completed that we could live aboard ship and become acquainted with each other and study and become reasonably expert in the operation of the equipment that would become our responsibilities at sea. Berthed next to the Indiana at Norfolk was the Massachusetts or the Alabama - I don't remember which. They were sister ships; and it was not uncommon for somewhat inebriated sailors to mix up the two, request permission to come aboard, and sleep the night on the wrong ship.

One Saturday morning in July I received a message from the Norfolk Police Department to come to their downtown jail to obtain the release of three of my crew from the L division. Sure enough they were the three biggest, meanest, and greatest shipmates you could ever have. But, 6 G.I.s had made some insulting and disparaging remarks at a local bar concerning the bombing of Pearl Harbor. These three guys would take no s-t off of anybody and proceeded to mop them up plus doing considerable damage to three tables, six chairs, and a couple of mirrors in the bar before being subdued by the Shore Patrol. The judge would release them to my custody only upon my promise that they would be brought before the ships mast the following Monday morning and appropriately punished. Further, I had to promise to immediately inform the Judge in writing as to the punishment meted out as soon as the judgment was made.

Commander Dupre, the executive officer, held the Captain's Mast on Monday and I, of course, brought the three up for trial and appropriate punishment. After hearing the full story of what had happened the previous Friday night at the bar and how the 6 army men had suffered much pain and the bar much replaceable damage the Commander asked me for my recommendation for appropriate punishment. My recommendation was that they be confined to the ship for two weeks - starting the following Sunday morning at 0800. The Commander thought that was a just and excellent recommendation and so ordered. Of course, both he and I also knew the ship was scheduled to put to sea for gunnery practice that same Sunday morning. I heard no more from the Judge; so, apparently he was satisfied with the punishment.

After final shakedown in Cosco Bay, Maine we headed out to the South Pacific in late fall of 1942. The South Dakota preceded us by a few weeks and we passed her in the harbor of TongaTabu. She was headed back to Pearl Harbor after suffering considerable damage in the battle off Savo Island in the Solomons

After two days at Tonga we proceeded on to Noumea, New Caledonia and joined the fleet there December 2nd. At that time we had only what was called SK radar which was useful only for air search. In early January 1943 we received a new radar useful for surface search called SG radar. The antenna was installed by the crew of the Indiana while in Noumea harbor - we had all hoped we would have to go to Australia for installation. But, no such luck. The placement of the antenna was high up but just forward of the Main Mast and, as a result, as the radar turned there would be a blind spot of approximately 100 degrees aft of the ship. This was something that Capt. "paint work" Peyton never could understand. Many a time when he had the "con" at night he would ask me in Radar Plot for the range and bearing of the Washington whose assigned position was 2000 yards astern of the Indiana. "Igo, I don't want any damned excuses! When I ask for the range and bearing of the Washington you'd better damned well give it to me." So, after checking with the lookouts that the W wasn't riding our fantail I'd give him a range and bearing of where she was supposed to be plus or minus a few hundred yards. You can't argue with stupidity. It was generally assumed that in case the Indiana should get into a night battle with the Japanese one of the first accidents to happen in the confusion would be a wrench falling on the captain's head. He never could get it through his head that a battleship is not a destroyer and you had better know very well what you are doing if you have the con. He consistently expected the turning radius of the Indiana to be the same as for the destroyers from which he came.

As you no doubt know from your research the Indiana was a part of the task force comprising the only large and fast carriers and battleships in the South Pacific for several months in early 1943. We were based in Noumea and made numerous sorties north up toward Guadacanal every time the Japs would send ships down to reinforce their soldiers on Guadacanal. They didn't want to tangle with us and we weren't yet strong enough in carriers and planes to take on their land based planes. Our task force had only two carriers, the U.S.S. Saratoga and the British carrier Victorious plus two battleships, about 6 to 8 cruisers and probably 15 to 20 destroyers. We would make enough smoke so that their search planes would see us and their ships would turn around and go back. In May 1943 an ALNAV came through asking for officers with sea duty to go into Lighter Than Air. By that time I was a Lt.(JG) and requested transfer to LTA. The captain signed and forwarded the request and to my amazement it was approved. In mid-June 1943 my transfer orders came through and so while in the middle of the Coral Sea, on 17 July 1943 I was transferred by breeches buoy to one of our large fleet tankers, thence to Espiritu Santo and after a week there boarded the victory ship "Alcoa Planter" for San Francisco.

My life as a Command Pilot in Blimp Squadron Eleven out of South Weymouth, Massachusetts is another story.

Benjamin, I hope this fills in perhaps some of the history of the Mighty I which you have been working on so well for many years. I admire your dedication and effort.
Richard A. Igo, Lt (jg), I Division

I Remember
I joined the navy 10 March 1942 and was aboard USS Indiana prior to commissioning on 30 April 1942. I was innitally assigned to a gunners mate post and fired 20mm guns with 5inch guns firing over my head. Concussions were so loud that ear muffs were issued and subsequently blown off. As a consequence I was deafened in on ear.
Was a seaman first class for one year, and was thrown out of the gun turret when the ship was hit by a Japanese kamikaze. Applied for and received transfer to E Division. Received training for Electricans Mate 3rd Class and was assigned to Distribution Board #4.
I remember one incident in the early part of l944, a junor E division officer stopped at #4 distribution board to talk. As he placed his foot on the rail, backing up he accidently hit the control on a generator that was supplying power to the ships steering. This caused the ship to become unsteerable for 30 seconds until auxiliary diesel engine came to full power. Immediately the chief engineering officer appeared and asked for the cause. We covered as best we could to keep the junor officer out of trouble saying, not sure, but saw an arc from the fuse connector which we knew had a slight burn mark on it. Very serious — fully examined by Chief Engineering Ofiicer, we never heard the outcome.
After three plus years was returned to US on transpot ship USS President Johnson which also transported prisoners to islands along the way. During the 43 day trip I lost 43 pounds. The food had spoiled and the bread was buggy. Was admitted to Oak Knoll Hospital in Oakland, CA. Since I had enough points for discharge was sent to Bainbridge, MD and was discharged on 23 October 1945.
Kyle Richard Diehl, Electricans Mate 3c, E Division

Collision
How well I remember looking down the bow of the Washington as I climbed down from my watch in the Main Battery director onto the secondary battery tub. I had just heard the lookout yell, "Standby For a Ram" and stood there frozen for a few moments as the Washington crashed into our starboard side. From above it appeaed that she had completely cut off our stern and had come slightly all the way through. Actually her main deck went like this but her bow was crushed for about 120 feet inward. Then she slid off. I waited for the explosion of the stored ammo in turrett three, but only the horrible sound of crumpling metal was the result. No explosion. My Indiana seemed like it was going to roll over into the sea but the inclinator later reported a list of only 11 degrees to starboard. What a massive coming together of two such huge objects and what a miracle they survived.
Thomas William Saltmarsh, Jr., Lt(jg), FM Division

Last Updated 06 November 2000

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