Name: Claud Ancil LUTTRULL
Rank / Rating: COX-Coxswain
Service #: 293 08 67
DOB: Aug 28, 1925
From: Gibson County, IN
Parents: James and Effie Luttrull
Went Aboard: October 8, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 19 years, 11 months, 2 days
Spouse: None
Children: None
Grandchildren: None
Bio Submitted By: Judy Luker, Niece and Marilyn N. Henry, Project 888
Date Posted:

My uncle was Claud Luttrull who was born on August 28, 1925 in Princeton, Indiana. He was the youngest of seven children born to James and Effie Luttrull. Claude was 17 years 10 months old when he enlisted in the Navy on July 8, 1943. He was trained at Great Lakes Naval Base and was assigned to the USS Indianapolis on October 8, 1943. He loved the Navy and recommended it to his friends and family. He was very excited to be assigned to USS Indianapolis because he was from Gibson County, Indiana. Because of his red hair, he naturally was nicknamed "Red". He became a Coxswain on November 1, 1944. He bragged to his sister (my mother) that he could now steer the ship. Claude had a great sense of humor and enjoyed the short life he lived. Since no one remembers seeing him in the water after the ship sunk, his family believes that Claud most likely went down with the ship when it was hit on July 30, 1945. Claud was my mother’s brother and of course, my uncle. I never knew Uncle Claud as he was killed two years before I was born. However, I always felt the loss of my uncle. My mom didn’t talk about his death but growing up I listened to stories about him being such a fun person with a devil may care attitude. Such a young, vibrant life cut off way too soon. I wish I could have known him. Gone but not forgotten. Judy Luker Added by Marilyn N. Henry Claud was a prolific writer of letters home to his mother. His letter written on July 16, 1945 as Indianapolis was leaving Hunter’s Point is of historical significance. Claud writes of the ship having received word to head to Hawaii “. . .and from there we don’t know where we are going.” A wood crate had been placed in the hanger on Indy. No one, not even Captain McVay, knew its content. Claude never knew. He verifies, as is written in many histories, that Indianapolis had a trial run at 32 knots and shook like a Model T. There are many historical records describing the record-breaking speed of Indianapolis to Pearl Harbor with crew members describing the 'shaking.” Claud describes his last night in port in San Francisco as very crowded. This was the last liberty for the crew. The crew was not allowed ashore at either Pearl Harbor, Tinian, or Guam for liberty. Claud verifies that the crew knew they were headed for Pearl Harbor and from there no one knew where they were going. Verification of the secret mission. Thank you, Claud Luttrull, for unknowingly verifying history in your last letter home. Over 80 years later your words are still being read. Fair winds. We Will Be the Keepers of Your Story. Claud was honored in VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA program in 2018. Click on VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA to view from Time Stamp 15:52 - 17:05.