Project 888
Name: Thomas Michael CONWAY
Rank / Rating: LT (Rev)-Lieutenant (Reverend)Service #: 201102 DOB: Apr 05, 1908 From: Waterbury, CT Parents: Thomas F. and Margaret Meade Conway Went Aboard: Aug 25, 1944 Age When Ship Went Down: 37 years, 3 months, 25 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: William Milhomme with additions by Patricia Stephens (Admin) |
 CONWAY, Thomas M |
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Father Conway was the oldest of three children born to Irish immigrants, Thomas F. and Margaret (Meade). He attended Lasalette Junior Seminary, in Hartford, Conn. In 1928, he enrolled at Niagara University (New York) and received an A.B. degree in 1930. On June 8, 1931, Conway enrolled in Our Lady of Angels Seminary, on the campus of Niagara University. May 26, 1934, he was ordained to the priesthood for the diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., in St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield, Mass.
On Sept. 17, 1942, Father Conway enlisted in U.S. Navy, and was commissioned a chaplain.
He served at various naval stations along the East Coast before transferring to the Pacific Fleet. For several months he was assigned to the repair ship USS Medusa (AR-1). On Aug 25, 1944 he went aboard USS Indianapolis CA-35.
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 "Seventy-five years after the end of the war in the Pacific, the Department of the Navy posthumously awarded the Navy Cross to a revered World War II Chaplain during a ceremony Jan. 8 in his native city of Waterbury, Connecticut" announced the Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs on Jan 9, 2021.
Lt. Thomas M. Conway, a Catholic priest, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps’ second-highest military decoration for valor for extraordinary heroism from July 30 to August 2, 1945 while serving as Chaplain of the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis CA-35.
“Today, we are here to right the record and send a message that we shall never forget,”.... Today the Navy is sorry for not recognizing Chaplain Conway’s heroism, dedication and courage sooner, said Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite.
After the sinking of Indianapolis, "completely disregarding his own well-being, Conway continually swam in shark-infested waters between the clusters of adrift Sailors, many of whom were severely injured, to provide them encouragement and comfort, pray with and for them, and administer sacraments. After three days of tireless exertion to aid his shipmates, Conway finally succumbed to exhaustion and died. His efforts were credited as a major reason 67 of his shipmates in his group were ultimately rescued." (1)
On the night of his death, Aug 2, 1945, earlier that evening, Father Conway had become delirious after spending his last day continuing to offer support to the surviving crew members and praying over the deceased men before he slipped them beneath the sea. Lt. Commander, Lewis Haynes, the ship's chief physician, was with Father Conway and he cradled the dying priest in his arms. When Father Conway's body fell limp, Dr. Haynes removed Conway's life vest and watched as his dear friend and fellow officer slowly slipped away.(2). At age 37, Father Conway gave his all to the Almighty, in the arms of the sea.
Before the sinking, Father Conway was already known for his selfless service to fellow crew members. After the kamikaze attack on Mar 31, 1945, Indianapolis could not be repaired on site and had to return to Mare Island, CA where she went into dry dock. Conway and many other crew members were granted leave. "Father Conway spent the entire repair period traveling across the country visiting the families of all 9 men who had been killed during the attack, telling how they had been buried at Sea.** He did this on his own time and at his expense rather than spend time with his own family and friends. This is a small example of the kind of love and devotion he displayed for others", said Melvin Modisher, Indy's junior ship physician.(3)
[** The crewmembers were not buried at sea, but in a remote cemetery at Kerama Retto]
Father Conway was the last Navy Chaplain to die in combat in World War II.
He was often photographed by USS Indianapolis Navy photographer, Alfred J Sedivi. Father Conway was much loved by the ships crew of every denomination. Sedivi’s photos show how crowded some of his services were for Catholic and non-catholic alike. In another photo Father Conway is heading a group of men through the Stations of the Cross, Battle Stations were sounded, Father Tom ended with "God bless you, keep you safe, and give em hell boys." Blessing them all.
William Milhomme, formerly of the Massachusetts State Archives set out in 2001 to preserve the memory of Father Conway. A park was named in his honor in 1954 in Buffalo, New York where he was ordained. Faith Magazine, a publication by the Catholic Diocese of Lansing, Michigan and Answering The Call to Military Chaplaincy by Catholic Milo Org used part of Milhomme’s research for their articles.
Father Conway sang this Irving Berlin song to his "adopted mom" Mary Noe on a record, titled I Threw a Kiss Into The Ocean.
I spoke last night to the ocean, spoke last night to the sea. And from the ocean a voice came back, 'Twas my Blue Jacket answering me. Ship Ahoy, Ship Ahoy, I can hear you, Sailor Boy! I spoke last night to the ocean, I spoke last night to the sea, And from the ocean a voice came back 'twas my soul love answering me. Father Conway was honored in VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA program in 2018. View from Time Stamp 26:02 - 26:21. |
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(1) https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2467118/navy-posthumously-awards-navy-cross-to-wwii-chaplain/ https://www.milarch.org/world-war-two-chaplain-hero-father-thomas-conway-posthumously-awarded-navy-cross/ https://news.usni.org/2021/01/09/navy-issues-posthumous-navy-cross-to-uss-indianapolis-chaplain (2) Stanton, Doug. In Harm's Way; Henry Holt and Co., N.Y., 2022 (3) Lech, Raymond B. All the Drowned Sailors. New York: Stein and Day, 1982 (4) source: https://thechaplainkit.com/history/stories/chaplain-thomas-m-conway/
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