USS Indianapolis CA-35
Lost At Sea

Name: David William METCALF
Rank / Rating: GM3-Gunner's Mate Third Class
Service #: 855 47 78
DOB: Jun 24, 1915
From: Vinton, OH
Parents: Walter Wray Metcalf (1885-1941) and Holace Reese Metcalf (1886-1968)
Went Aboard: Sep 01, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 30 years, 1 months, 6 days
Spouse: Margaret Esther (Walker) Metcalf (1915-1996)
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Marilyn Northcutt Henry and Thomas David Metcalf, Nephew
Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025

David William Metcalf was born June 24, 1915 to Walter Wray and Holace Reese Metcalf in Vinton, Ohio. David, their middle child, had an older brother, Lester R. Metcalf (1913-1995) and a younger sister, Vera Evelyn Metcalf McGinnis (1917-2008).

At the age of 25 David registered for the draft on October 16, 1940 in Troy, Miami County, Ohio. He listed his wife Esther Metcalf as the person who would always know his address. He listed his occupation as teacher. Prior to registering for the draft, David married Esther Walker on September 4, 1938 in Gallia, Ohio. David and Esther were both employed as teachers at the time of their marriage. David was teaching 6th grade at Concord township school. Their Marriage License #10986 is attached, below. David enlisted in the Navy May 24, 1943. After basic training, he boarded USS Indianapolis CA 35 on September 1, 1943. He served almost two years before losing his life in the sinking of Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. In 2018 as part of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Reunion, a flag was flown in David’s honor over the Indianapolis Monument in Indianapolis, Indiana and presented to his nephew, Thomas David Metcalf. Thomas honored his uncle David Metcalf in the VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA program by reading a narrative of David’s Life. Click on VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA to view from Time Stamp 17:07 - 18:26. David was one of two men from Troy, OH, who were lost on board Indianapolis. The other was Marion Ellis Morton