USS Indianapolis CA-35
Charles Byrd Sparks - Lost At Sea

Name: Charles Byrd Sparks
Rank / Rating: COX-Coxswain
Service #: 604 89 98
DOB: Apr 13, 1918
From: Birmingham, AL
Parents: Mrs. C. B. Sparks
Went Aboard: Nov 23, 1942
Age When Ship Went Down: 27 years, 3 months, 17 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Carl Fahnestock (Admin)
Bio Last Updated: Oct 07, 2026

Coxwain Sparks was born on April 13, 1918. His mother was Mrs. C.B. Sparks. He joined the Navy in September, 1942. Sparks had a brother, PFC Earl H. Sparks who was serving in the South Pacific during WWII.

Charles Byrd Sparks, Coxwain was one of 879 crew members of USS Indianapolis (CA-35) who “Lost Their Lives At Sea” as a direct casualty of the July 30, 1945 sinking of USS Indianapolis. All of these 879 men plus 9 others who also lost their lives at sea as a direct outcome of a March 31, 1945 kamikaze attack in Okinawa, have been recorded as having been “Lost at Sea” (LAS) while aboard USS Indianapolis (CA-35) in 1945. Seventy-six years after the ship’s sinking (in 2021), a thorough investigation of available historic records culminated in the identification of thirteen (13) sailors on that fateful last voyage whose names were subsequently placed on an “Accounted For” list. Charles Byrd Sparks, Coxswain, was one of the 879 crew members of USS Indianapolis CA35 who were "lost at sea" in the sinking of the ship on July 30, 1945. After 316 survivors were rescued, the effort turned into a recovery mission of the deceased crew members in the water. Six ships recovered 91 bodies that were examined and many were identified. All bodies were given a "Burial at Sea". Due to an administrative error, at least 13 of the men who were identified and buried at sea never had this information recorded in his official personnel file, therefore he continued to be officially noted as "Unaccounted For" by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). In 2021, Chief Rick Stone, through his Stone Family Foundation, conducted extensive research of these 13 crew members. His tremendous efforts lead to evidence that confirmed beyond a reasonable doubt, required by statute, that the crew member's name should be moved from the "Unaccounted For" to the "Accounted For" list with a notation that he was Buried at Sea to give the families some degree of closure for their loved one. The Commander of the Navy Personnel Command directed the Navy Casualty Office to personally inform the families of the 13 crew members of this discovery and the change made in the official records. While each of these 13 sailors “Lost Their Lives At Sea”, they were each “Buried at Sea”. The 13 men who by clear and convincing evidence gathered at the time of the Rescue and Recovery process resulted in their being “Buried at Sea” are: George Stanley Abbott, S1- Seaman First Class Eugene Clifford Batson, S2- Seaman Second Class William Alexander Haynes, S1- Seaman First Class Albert Raymond Kelly, S2- Seaman Second Class Albert Davis Lundgren, S1- Seaman First Class Ollie McHone, F1- Fireman First Class George David Payne, S2- Seaman Second Class Alvin Wilder Rahn, SK3- Storekeeper Third Class Jose Antonio Saenz, SC3- Ship’s Cook Third Class Joseph Mason Strain, S2- Seaman Second Class Angelo Anthony Sudano, SSML3- Ship’s Service Man (Laundryman) Third Class Floyd Ralph Wolfe, GM3- Gunner’s Mate Third Class Charles Byrd Sparks, COX- Coxswain Burial at Sea Charles was picked up and identified by USS Alvin C. Cockrell DE-366 Wednesday August 8, 1945. It not being possible to bring Charles aboard for the official Burial at Sea Ceremony he was placed in a sea bag, weighted with two 5" shells and "committed to the deep" by his fellow seamen.