Name: Donald Henry FRORATH
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
Service #: 314 93 84
DOB: Mar 27, 1927
From: Bay City, MI
Parents: Mr and Mrs Martin Frorath
Went Aboard: Jun 23, 1945
Age When Ship Went Down: 18 years, 4 months, 3 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Carl Fahnestock - Admin
Date Posted:

To date, Bio Information about Donald Henry Frorath is limited to the "Bio Stats" in the upper left section of this page. What follows is a limited Newspaper Clipping dated July 30 1946 (one year after the July 30, 1945 sinking of USS Indianapolis) which mentions Frorath and two Indy Shipmates Clifford Carson and James Drummond who were also Lost at Sea. All three men were from Bay City, Michigan. Source: The Bay City Times, Michigan, Tuesday, July 30, 1946, Vol. 74, page 3; citing Two Bay Cityans Went Down with USS Indianapolis, Year Ago Today. 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. Donald Henry FRORATH'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.