Name: Harold Vinton BRILEY
Rank / Rating: MAM3-Mailman Third Class
Service #: 860 48 29
DOB: Jul 13, 1910
From: Sidney, Iowa
Parents: William Franklin and Ellen Josephine Ames Briley
Went Aboard: Dec 13, 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 35 years, 0 months, 17 days
Spouse: Lela Catherine Briley
Children: Donna Josephine Briley Glenn
Grandchildren: Jason Briley Glenn and Rory Harold Glenn (Grandsons)
Bio Submitted By: Admin
Date Posted:

(Admin Note - Harold registered for the draft on Oct 16, 1940 in Fremont Co., IA. He enlisted in the Navy on April 13, 1944. After basic training at Great Lakes, IL, Harold was transferred to the USN Mail School in New York, NY. He went aboard Indianapolis Dec 13, 1944 at San Diego, CA)

According to his registration/draft card Harold Briley enlisted in the Navy on his birth date 13 July 1940 at the age of 30 in Farragut, Fremont County, Iowa.(1) He worked as a farmer and horse trainer. That same year he married his girlfriend Miss Lela C. Wincher, also age 30. (2) Entering the Navy in April 1944, Harold was sent for training at United States Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois. After a short assignment at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York, Harold boarded Indianapolis on 4 December 1944 (3) at the age of 34. On 2 January 1949 Lela filed for WWII Service Compensation certifying Harold’s death a “killed in action, while in service”. She documented their relationship with a copy of their marriage license; his death with a Western Union Telegram from Vice Admiral Louis Denfeld; the Chief of Navy Personnel dated 17 September 1945; a letter from Captain Charles McVay dated 5 September 1945; and a letter verifying Harold’s death from Forrestal dated 13 October 1945. Lela received $500 in compensation for Harold’s death. (4) Lela Catherine Briley and their four-year-old daughter Donna Josephine Briley mourned their loss. Lela reared Donna alone, never remarrying. Donna married giving Lela two grandsons, Jason Briley Glenn and Rory Harold Glenn. (5) Lela passed away in 1996 living 50 years as a widow. Her grave is marked with a headstone bearing her name and her husband Harold Vinton Bradley.(6) While onboard Indianapolis, Harold met a relative Robert Edmon Batten for the first time. What follows is information about their connection along with copies of a letter sent to Captain McVay and his response: Mailman Third Class Harold Vinton Briley (pictured above) had just celebrated his 35th birthday and had been on the ship since May 1945. Harold Briley had one daughter that was only a few years old that he left behind. She went on to become a professional journalist and did many interviews and stories about this story in her career. Harold and Bob hadn’t met each other until shortly before the ship sank. When the news came out of the sinking and loss of lives, both the husband and wife were each faced with losing a brother; a double tragedy in their family. Given this double tragedy, Capt. McVay received a letter from Bob’s sister. The letter along with Capt. McVay’s response is transcribed below: October 25 1945 Dear Capt. McVay No doubt you have received many letters as this and believe me I’m sorry to be adding another one. I am writing you concerning my husband’s brother and also mine. These boys were aboard the Indianapolis and we would like so very much to get a little information about them. These boys are Harold B. Briley, mailman 3/c of Farragut, Iowa and Robert E. Batten S1/c -Gunner’s Mate of Davenport, Iowa. Any information you can pass onto us concerning either or both of these boys will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Mrs. H. V. Briley October 31, 1945 My dear Mrs. Briley, Your letter of October 25th concerning your husband’s brother, Harold V. Briley, and your brother Robert Edmon Batten, has just reached me here in the Bureau of Naval Personnel where I have been on temporary duty since my return from Guam the middle of last month. I regret that I can add nothing to my letter of September 24th to Mrs. Lele C. Briley, regarding the manner in which Harold V. Briley, Mailman third class, United States Naval Reserve lost his life nor can I add anything to my letter of September 25th to Mr. James M. Batten, regarding the manner in which your brother Robert Edmon Batten, Seaman first class, United States Naval Reserve, lost his life It is difficult I know for you to understand why we can not furnish more information. However, when it is realized that the ship sank in the middle of the night in a very short time and that no records whatsoever were saved that may explain our difficulty in piecing together a coherent story. Very sincerely, CHAS B, McVay, III