At Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, every service dog’s name tells a story—one rooted in honor, service, and community. Indy, one of our dedicated service dogs in training, donated by Karen McCans, is named in honor of one of the most storied vessels in U.S. naval history: the USS Indianapolis (CA-35).
The USS Indianapolis was a Portland-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1932 and proudly serving through numerous pivotal battles in the Pacific during World War II. But her most notable—and somber—legacy comes from her final mission.
In July 1945, the USS Indianapolis was tasked with a top-secret operation: delivering components of “Little Boy,” the atomic bomb later dropped on Hiroshima, to the island of Tinian. The mission was a success, but tragedy struck just days later. On July 30, 1945, after completing her delivery, the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sank within 12 minutes in the Philippine Sea.
Of the 1,195 crew members aboard, approximately 900 survived the initial sinking, but due to communication failures and the classified nature of the mission, the ship’s disappearance went unnoticed for days. The survivors were left adrift in open water, facing dehydration, exhaustion, exposure, and shark attacks. Rescue did not come until four days later, and by then only 316 men remained alive.
It was one of the worst naval disasters in U.S. history, not only in terms of loss of life but also because of the horrifying conditions endured by the survivors. Yet from that suffering arose stories of unimaginable bravery, brotherhood, and resilience—a legacy that lives on in the hearts of those who remember.
Here is how you can get involved:
Send a gift to Indy from our Amazon Wishlist: https://bit.ly/4aRa2MX
Contribute towards Indy’s Training & Care: https://p2p.onecause.com/servicedogs
