SMITH; GUY NEPHI

UNITED STATES NAVY; WORLD WAR II; UT

https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000XmlmEAC

Individual Type Unaccounted For; Missing In Action / Non-Recoverable
Rank FCO2
Service Number 6604218
Location PHILIPPINE SEA
Date of Loss 7/30/1945
Unit NAVY - UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

On July 30, 1945, torpedoes from a Japanese submarine hit the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) off the Caroline Islands, sinking the ship within twelve minutes. Of the 1,195 crew members aboard, approximately 300 went down with the ship, and the remainder jumped into the water. Although the ship sent out a distress call, reports were not acted on until nearly four days later, when a Navy aircraft on a routine patrol spotted survivors. An estimated 600 men died from dehydration, saltwater poisoning, or shark attacks before 316 survivors were rescued. In total, approximately 900 lost their lives as a result of the sinking, the greatest single loss of life at sea from a single ship in U.S. Navy history.

Fire Controlman Petty Officer Second Class Guy N. Smith, who joined the U.S. Navy from Michigan, was serving aboard the Indianapolis when the Japanese sank the vessel off the Caroline Islands. He was lost during the incident, and his remains were not recovered. Today, Petty Officer Smith is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56785557/guy-n-smith

Guy N Smith