Name: Harry Todd HICKEY
Rank / Rating: RM3-Radioman Third Class
Service #: 720 45 87
DOB: May 03, 1924
From: Wilmington, DE
Parents: Harry M. and Mildred Hickey
Went Aboard: May 12, 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 21 years, 2 months, 27 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Mary J Cooper (Sister) and Patricia Stephens (Admin)
Date Posted:

(Entries by Admin in Italics) Harry Todd Hickey joined the Navy under delayed entrance, so he could finish 12th grade.* After the recruiter obtained his records, he contacted Mother and offered him V-5 program in the Navy Air Corp. He went to Dartmouth first and then University of Pennsylvania. There he became the first art editor of the Gremlin Gazette, their newspaper. *Harry enlisted in the USN on Oct 16, 1942 at Philadelphia, PA.

The year he graduated from high school, the measles epidemic was severe. Unfortunately, after finishing the University of Pennsylvania, his eyes weakened and he was sent to Perry Point, Maryland for rest and recovery. They wanted him to remain as art editor (8/5/43) for their paper. He took radio school and insisted on active duty. He was sent to Receiving Barracks, Shoemaker, California assigned to the USS Indianapolis. He became RM 3C on May 12, 1944.* * Harry arrived at Bainbridge Naval Training Center, Port Deposit, MD, on Aug 5, 1943, for radio school. Because Harry did not complete his former training in aviation, USN regulation required his rate to be changed to Apprentice Seaman, V-6, and he would begin, again, to advance through the navy rates/ratings. This regulation effected any recruit not completing aviation training, not just Harry, and regardless of the reason for not completing training. In Sept 6, 1943, Harry advanced to S2c (Seaman 2nd class). By March 1944, he was advanced to S1c (RM). This indicated he had likely completed radio school but needed further practical training to advance in rate. From Bainbridge, Harry transferred to San Francisco receiving station where he boarded a transport for Pearl Harbor to meet his new ship, USS Indianapolis CA-35, for duty. He went aboard May 12, 1944. He worked hard for the next eight months and was advanced to RM3c(T), (Radioman 3rd class, temporary) on Jan 1, 1945. Most advancements made late in the war were temporary and in no way reflected upon the sailor's abilities. They were hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa and came back to the United States for major repairs. He got to come home for a brief visit. Going back aboard the Indy, they made a fast run to Guam. There they delivered the components of the atomic bomb. It was the beginning of the end of the war. They were ordered to go to the Philippines from Guam. They were in route without an escort and soon hit by two Japanese torpedoes. The Indy sank in less than 15 minutes. Many men were in the water, badly burned, many injured, few rafts and soon faced shark attacks. Harry was seen alive on the 3rd day. A PBY plane saw men in the water. It landed and attempted to help as many as possible. They sent radio messages, and several ships came to the area. Harry continued his cartooning of persons on the Indy. The Indy was also Adm Spruance's Flag Ship. When Harry was home, he talked about cartooning him as well. Thanks to Paul McGinnis for sending home some of his cartoons. I still have one. Harry participated in bombardment, support and occupation of: Saipan, Guam and Tinian Islands, Marianas Island June 11-August 10, 1944, June 18, 1944, between 5th Fleet and Japanese Fleet off Saipan Marianas over 350 Japanese aircraft, several Japanese ships including carriers and ships were destroyed September 12 September 29, support, bombardment and occupation of Palau Island Participated in air strikes on Tokyo February 16, 17, and 25, 1945. Participated in assault, bombardment and occupation of Iwo Jima February 19, 1945 Participated in Ryukya Island March 18, 1945 Okinawa Gunto Operation March 18 -April 7, 1945 Entitled to wear the Asiatic- Pacific Area and American Area Campaign Service Ribbons July 30, 1945 - MISSING IN ACTION September 13, 1945 - Declared dead Harry's body was retrieved and buried at sea. Only after Camp Farragut, Idaho sent his school ring (cut off his hand) and his ID bracelet, my mom accepted the fact that he had died for sure. Burial at Sea Harry was one of the twenty-eight crew members recovered and identified by USS Helm between Sunday August 5, 1945 to Monday August 6, 1945. It not being possible to bring Harry aboard for the official Burial at Sea Ceremony he was placed in a sea bag, weighted with two 5" shells and "committed to the deep" by his fellow seamen.