USS Indianapolis CA-35
Lost At Sea

Name: Arnold Ambrose FULLER
Rank / Rating: F2-Fireman Second Class
Service #: 951 48 07
DOB: Jan 04, 1917
From: Alabama
Parents:
Went Aboard: Apr 25, 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 28 years, 6 months, 26 days
Spouse: Jeane Fuller Orlandi
Children: Donna Fuller
Grandchildren: Kyle and Darren
Bio Submitted By: Carl Fahnestock (Admin)
Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025

Fireman Second Class Fuller was born on January 4, 1917, in Alabama. He was a Liquid Carbonic employee and living in Detroit, Michigan before entering the Navy in January 1943.

He joined the crew of USS Indianapolis in April. He was awarded four battle ribbons with eight stars and posthumously the Purple Heart. He was serving aboard when the “Indy” picked up 35 survivors of a Japanese cruiser sunk by a direct hit from Indianapolis. He also took part in operations against Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu and Guam. Sea duty was 15 months, all aboard Indianapolis, until it was sunk and he lost his life on July 30, 1945. He was survived by his wife, Jeane, who subsequently died in 1983. His daughter, Donna, and her husband Gene Orlandi, lived subsequently in Troy, Illinois. He had two grandchildren, Kyle and Darren and two great-grandchildren, Ashley and Alexis. Arnold also had a sister, Ervie Green, of Dearborn, Michigan and family in Alabama where he was born. MICHIGAN MEMORIAL PLAQUE See photographs (posted below) to view a copy of a memorial plaque that was dedicated circa 1946 to honor seventy-two (72) State of Michigan men who served on USS Indianapolis CA-35 and who were Lost At Sea. Arnold Ambrose FULLER's name is listed on the plaque! Per the caption on one of the photos, the plaque was originally planned in 1946 for display at a proposed Detroit Civic Center. The plaque was initially displayed at the Detroit Naval Post VFW #233. However, the plaque had vanished for decades, fueling rumors of theft, being melted for scrap, or hidden away in a private basement. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Jeff Ortiz (nephew of LAS Y3 Orlando Ortiz) and Joni Deaver (cousin of LAS sailor S2c Charles Roof Jr.), this priceless piece of history has been re-discovered in the Detroit Historical Society storage basement in Michigan. One of the photos shows Jeff Ortiz and Ralph McNabb (nephew of LAS F2 Thomas McNabb, Jr) standing behind the very dusty plaque as it was found.