Project 888
Name: Elvin Cary MALONE
Rank / Rating: S1-Seaman First ClassService #: 939 96 18 DOB: Feb 05, 1923 From: Baldwyn (Lee County), MS Parents: Austin and Effie Malone Went Aboard: May 07, 1944 Age When Ship Went Down: 22 years, 5 months, 25 days Spouse: Jewel Roper Malone Children: Ann (Malone) Lynk, Daughter Grandchildren: Tim Phillips, Pam Toomey, Keith Phillips and Kindle Phillips Sample Bio Submitted By: Keith Phillips (grandson of Elvin Malone) and formatted for presentation by Marilyn Northcutt Henry |
 MALONE, Elvin C |
|
|
|
 Photo left is Elvin and Jewel.
The photo displayed below includes:
L-R Keith Phillips, Grandson, Ann Malone Lynk, Daughter, and Kindle Phillips Sample, Granddaughter of Elvin C. Malone, S1, Lost at sea.
A Flag in memory of Elvin Cary Malone was flown by the Legacy Organization at USS Indianapolis (CA-35) Memorial, Indianapolis, IN.
Narrative:
Grandson Keith Phillips wrote: This is wonderful! I told my mother I was coming by to take a picture of her in her new (Gold Star Family) shirt. When I handed her the flag she began to cry and whispered “Thank You.” She was a year and two weeks old when her father, Elvin C. Malone, was lost at sea. This meant a lot. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.
The following expressions of gratitude were shared by Keith Phillips (Elvin’s Grandson):
I am thankful for all the men and women who have given their lives in defending my freedoms; especially my grandfather, Elvin Malone who died at sea after the USS Indianapolis CA-35 was torpedoed. May we never forget the cost of freedom.
A USS Indianapolis survivor wrote my grandmother a letter after the ship was sunk. He was with my grandfather until he died the third night. My grandfather, Elvin Malone, said to let my grandmother know he wasn’t too good to die for his country. That sorta makes me proud to have his blood, as well as to be an American.
I am thankful to have served in the US Navy during a peaceful season, but many have not had that privilege. Today I thank the men and women who have served in times of peace and in times of unrest, for their willingness to go in “Defense of Freedom”. In the additional photos section, below, I have included a picture of the medals that my grandfather earned as he served on the USS Indianapolis CA-35. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13.
Keith Phillips submitted the contents of the following letter which was sent to his grandmother (Elvin's wife Jewel) by Indy Survivor Luther D. Paulk. Luther was a Navy buddy who worked "side by side" with Elvin and who was with him when he passed away in the water three days after the ship's sinking:
November 27, 1945
Dear Mrs. Malone,
I am one of the boys that survived the sinking of our ship, and I knew your husband well. We was in the same division and the same section. We stood watches on the same gun. We was on watch at the time we was sunk, and I was with your husband in the water and am sorrow to tell you but there isn’t any chance for your husband being alive. He told me something to write to you, and I wrote to you but it came back because I had forgotten the correct address he give me. He told me if I made it and he failed that he wasn’t too good to die for his country and he loved you with all his heart and hoped to meet you where there would be no parting. So Mrs. Malone you have all my sympathy. But the truth is that your husband made it to the third night in the water and no longer because I was with him all the time and did ever thing I could for him even tho I was weak myself. I really hate to write you this for you lost a good husband and me a good buddy. So if there is any question you want to ask me write and ask. Forgive me if I made you feel bad but I thought you should know the truth.
A Friend
Luther D. Paulk,
First Lt. Bks. 2800
USN P3G
Elvin 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 31:50 - 41:47.
|
|
| |
|
|
 |  |  |  |  |  |
