USS Indianapolis CA-35
Lost At Sea

Name: Cedric Foster COLEMAN
Rank / Rating: LCDR-Lieutenant Commander
Service #: 83010
DOB: May 01, 1915
From: Bingham, ME
Parents: Harold Andrews and Marian Howard Stoddard Coleman
Went Aboard: Unknown
Age When Ship Went Down: 30 years, 2 months, 29 days
Spouse: Margaret Lorraine Daniel
Children: Catherine Lorraine Coleman
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Patricia Stephens (Admin)
Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025

Cedric was born May 1, 1915 in Bingham, ME, to Harold Andrews and Marian Howard Stoddard Coleman. He was the youngest of 4 children. His siblings were: Lucille Minnette Coleman, Phyllis Corrine Coleman and Chalice Bruce Coleman. He graduated from Brockton High School in Bingham. Cedric was a graduate of Northeastern University where he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering. He is noted also on the roll of alumni of Harvard University where he obtained an advanced degree in Engineering. Cedric married Margaret Lorraine Daniel on April 12, 1944, in Las Vegas, Clark Co., NV. They were the parents of one daughter, Catherine Lorraine Coleman, born Jan 2, 1945 in Berkeley, Alameda, CA.

Cedric was a Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) in the US Navy. He served on board USS Indianapolis (CA-35) as the commander of the Flag Allowance of ADMR Raymond Spruance, USN, Commander, Fifth Fleet. Cedric sailed on board Indy during the top secret transport of nuclear material to Tinian Island. This same material would later be used to build the "Little Boy" Atomic bomb. After delivering her secret cargo, Indianapolis sailed the same day to Apra Harbor, Guam, for an overnight stay before departing for Leyte. About half-way to Leyte, LCDR Coleman was lost at sea when Indianapolis was torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-58 and sank in less that 12 minutes. He made it off the ship and into the water. LCDR Coleman's flag staff on board when the ship sank were Robert Craig Barker, Jr., RT1c, Arno John Telford, RT3c, Ray Gunther Wenzel, RT3c and two new members who had arrived in Guam from basic training in the US and were waiting to come aboard, William Hearn Bradley, S2c (SM) and Pat Leon Adams, S2c. LCDR Coleman was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his "unselfish heroic conduct in the water." In the book"The Tragic Fate of the U.S.S. Indianapolis - The U.S. Navy’s Worst Disaster at Sea" by Raymond B. Lech, the Appendix includes the following commendation: "It is respectfully requested that the Bronze Star Medal be awarded posthumously to Lieutenant Commander Cedric Foster Coleman for service as set forth in the following citation:For heroic service in connection with operations against the enemy while attached to a United States heavy cruiser which was sunk___. As leader of a group of survivors, he worked unceasingly to keep them together despite the fact that the exertion on his part had such a weakening effect on him that it ultimately caused his death from complete exhaustion. On several occasions, he swam from the group to bring in stragglers, thereby saving their lives. His unselfish and heroic conduct throughout were outstanding and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service." All six names are inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Philippines. All were awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously. The names are inscribed also on the USS Indianapolis National Memorial in Indianapolis, IN.