Project 888
Name: Harry Francis MADIGAN
Rank / Rating: BM2-Boatswain's Mate Second ClassService #: 300 35 37 DOB: Dec 31, 1922 From: Sault Ste. Marie, MI Parents: Sarah and John Madigan Went Aboard: May 16, 1941 Age When Ship Went Down: 22 years, 6 months, 30 days Spouse: Terry Madigan Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Admin |
 MADIGAN, Harry F |
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Harry was the youngest son of Sarah and John Madigan from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan born December 31, 1919. He was one of 11 children, and one of five brothers in his family to serve his country-- the only one not to come home.
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| He enlisted in the US Navy before Pearl Harbor and boarded USS Indianapolis May 16, 1941. He was offered the chance to leave the Indy during the war, but as the story is told in his family, "He thought the Indianapolis was a lucky ship and would always prefer to stay aboard." Harry was married to his wife Terry, but they had no children. He spoke of his dream to open an ice cream parlor in Sausalito, California after the war was over. It was a tradition for his father to take the entire family for an ice cream cone after church on Sundays during the summer, so perhaps he wanted to duplicate those memories for others. Aboard the Indy, Harry was the gun captain of one of the 5-inch dual purpose guns. He lost the top of one of his fingers earlier in his tour when learning to load the gun. He had earned the insignia of Coxswain and later advanced to Boatswains Mate Second Class. He was berthed up forward of the number one turret, on the starboard side - right where the first torpedo struck the ship. From what the family has been told, Harry had just been relieved of his evening watch and most likely would have been at his bunk at the time of the torpedo strike, which would have killed him instantly. Just before the Indy shipped out on its final voyage, Harry cleaned out his locker on the ship and told his wife he was not coming back, that he feared their luck was running out. He left behind an artifact that he had made while aboard - a huge rendition of a Navy medal given for valor: crossed flyswatters and a large fly on the medal front. On the rear, he listed all of the ten battles the Indy was part of, the major invasions of the Pacific War. Harry had served longer than anyone else on the Indy at the time of the sinking, having been aboard since the war began. Harry also left all of his medals home, and in 1985 his wife gave medals and ribbons to his nephew who was an officer in the US Coast Guard for 27 years. When his nephew first acquired the medals, he was preparing to take command of a Coast Guard shore station. He put the medals inside his uniform jacket to wear in Harry's memory, as Harry never had a chance. The Admiral commanding was there with Harry's nephew in a private moment before the ceremony, asking to see the medals after hearing they were being worn. The Admiral told him he was doing a wonderful thing and saluted the medals and the memory of the men on USS Indianapolis. The Admiral then mentioned the story during his remarks an hour later as he addressed the assembled guests and sailors. | |
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