Project 888
Name: Harley Edward MOORE
Rank / Rating: S1-Seaman First ClassService #: 555 95 72 DOB: Oct 15, 1925 From: Phoenix, AZ Parents: John Allison Moore Went Aboard: Dec 21, 1943 Age When Ship Went Down: 19 years, 9 months, 15 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Maggie Mikus (Niece) and Marilyn Northcutt Henry |
 MOORE, Harley E |
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At age 89 Mary Kozeluh remembered her older brother well. Harley Moore’s birth order sandwiched him between two older and two younger sisters. As his kid sister, Mary was Harley’s shadow, tied at the hip, going everywhere with Harley - movies every Sunday then ice cream at the drugstore. She showed their photo taken one Sunday by the drugstore owner. (See photo left)
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 Her fondest memory is riding on the center bar of Harley’s bike going bump, bump, bump down the wooden rails of the railroad tracks - a calculated tease to his kid sister.
Mary related memories of her only brother during a one hour ZOOM interview session with Sara Vladic and Marilyn Henry for Project 888 - honoring the memory of Harley Moore among the 888 men lost at sea aboard USS Indianapolis in 1945.
Memories brought laughter and tears. Mary’s voice quietened as she explained -
Harley’s dad had signed for his son to enter the Navy. Boarding Indianapolis in December 1943 Harley served 19 months before his life ended at age 19 in the sinking of his beloved ship July 30, 1945.
Mary reflected on a wooden chest and wood lamp kept in her family home. Harley’s dad had guided his son’s hands in creating these in his woodworking shop.
Harley’s parents wrote to Captain McVay asking for information about the death of their son. A first telegram had arrived stating Harley was MISSING IN ACTION with no explanation of the exact cause of death. The letter below is transcribed as written by parents.
329 North 14th. Street,
Phoenix Arizona.
Aug. 15th. 1945.
Capt. Charles Butler McVay III,
Personnel Officer of the
Us. S. Indianapolis,
San Francisco, California.
Dear Sir;
Please excuse me for the time that I am to take in regards to all that you can tell me in regards to my Son Harley Edward Moore, Seaman First Class, Who has been reported missing on the Gallant Ship U.S.S.
Indianapolis, July 30.1945.
I have obtained your name in the morning paper and am so in hopes that you may be in some way a comfort to us in our anxiety over the news of the missing of our only Son.
I am enclosing a stamped address envelope, and will hope that I may receive an early reply and so with the best of wishes and Thanking you in advance,
I Remain,
Obediently Yours,
John Allison Moore
Mrs. John Allison Moore.
Captain McVay replied to this letter:
P 172 U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35)
26 August 1945
Mrs John Allison Moore,
329 North 14th Street,
Phoenix, Arizona
Dear Mrs. Moore:
I have received your letter and it is with regret that I inform you that your son, Harley Edward Moore, S1c, is not among the survivors and is missing in action. I cannot hold out much hope for his survival as I believe he went down with his ship. His shipmates and I share with you your grief and sorrow.
If any new information becomes available to the Navy Department I feel certain that it will be passed on to you by that Department.
Very Sincerely yours,
CHAS. B. MCVAY, III.,
Captain U.S. Navy.
McVay's Letters
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