Name: Darwin Glen KRUSE Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class Service #: 984 49 05 DOB: Nov 08, 1926 From: Wellsburg, Iowa Parents: Went Aboard: May 12, 1945 Age When Ship Went Down: 18 years, 8 months, 22 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Admin Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025
KRUSE, Darwin G
Seaman Second Class Darwin Kruse was born November 8, 1926, at Wellsburg, Iowa. He enlisted in the US Navy on February 16, 1945, at age 18.
After completing boot camp at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois, he took further training at Shoemaker, California.
On July 16, 1945*, he boarded USS Indianapolis at Mare Island, California.
Darwin’s parents conversed with a fellow crew member from Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Seaman First Class Edward J. Brown) and were able to piece together meager bits of information concluding that Darwin was killed instantly.
He had just been relieved from guard duty and was probably in his quarters which was blown off by the blast.
[* Official US Navy records show Darwin first went aboard Indianapolis on May 12, 1945. Edited by Admin]
Source Credits
USS Indianapolis CA-35 Crew Members Association, (1997), USS Indianapolis (CA-35), Turner Publishing Co., Paducah, KY. Copyright 1997 by Turner Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission.
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Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
