Name: Thiel Joseph KLEIN
Rank / Rating: SK3-Storekeeper Third Class
Service #: 861 95 31
DOB: May 22, 1921
From: Detroit, MI
Parents:
Went Aboard: Sep 01, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 24 years, 2 months, 8 days
Spouse: Bernice
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Carl Fahnestock (Admin)
Date Posted:

Storekeeper Third Class Thiel Klein was born May 22, 1921, in Detroit, MI. He owned and operated a Texaco service station before joining the Navy in September 1943.

He trained at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois and was subsequently stationed in California. He received orders to board USS Indianapolis on September 1, 1943. Over the next 23 months while on board, he participated in multiple battles in the South Pacific earning eight of the ten battle stars award to Indianapolis Klein left behind a 21-year-old widow, Bernice. They had no children. 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. Thiel Joseph KLEIN'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.