Guenther, Morgan Edward, EM3c, 669 87 44, V-6, USNR
2703 Cayuga St.
Granite City, Illinois
October 8th, 1945
Dear Captain McVay,
I received your letter on how you believed my husband met his death and the U.S.S. Indianapolis on
how it got sunk.
You might think it unnatural for me to believe he is not dead, but somehow I don't believe it.
I don't want to take up your time, Captain McVay, by this letter, but if possible, will you please answer it?
Could there be any chance at all of some of the men from the U.S.S. Indianapolis being taken
Jap prisoners by the submarine that hit the ship?
My husband Morgan Edwards Guenther, (Electricians mate third class) and I were married in June in
California of this year and when I was there I saw the U.S.S. Indianapolis and I also have an
approximate idea where my husband's "shop" is located which is above deck. It wasn't located
close to the guns that went off.
My brother-in-law received a letter from a friend of my husbands that has been on the U.S.S. Indianapolis
for at least two years (as long as my husband) but was transferred before it went out this
last time, and he is now stationed in New Jersey. He also told us about the ship and explained in
his letter about how well my husband was "situated" on the ship. He couldn't understand how we got
the bad news we did about Morgan. He thought he would be one of the first to get off.
As you may have guessed, I haven't given up hope of my husband's safety ~ and may God willing he will be safe.
I'd be very grateful if you would answer my letter, please
Very sincerely
Mrs. Morgan Edw. Guenther.
Guenther, Morgan Edward, EM3c, 669 87 44, V-6, USNR.
October 13th, 1945.
My dear Mrs. Gunther,
Your letter of October 8th, 1945, concerning your husband, Morgan Edward Guenther, reached me yesterday.
I shall try to answer your questions as best I am able from the information we have been able to collect.
I do not believe that any of the officers or men from the INDIANAPOLIS were taken prisoners of war
because none of the survivors saw a ship or submarine, either prior to the sinking or after they
were in the water.
You speak of the place where your husband would sleep being above deck and therefore he should have
been one of the first to get off. It should be remembered that the explosions happened at midnight
and the ship started to list rapidly and take water. Many persons got caught in damaged compartments
or were pinned under material that broke loose and fell on topside. There are so many ways that men
can lose their lives in a disaster such as befell the INDIANAPOLIS that at best one can only guess as to
how many men failed to survive.
I regret that I can only say again that I believe your husband went down with his ship. Again, please
accept my sincerest sympathies.
Very sincerely.
CHAS. B. McVAY, III
Captain, U.S. Navy.
Mrs. Alma Jay Gunther.
2703 Cayuga Street
Granite City, Illinois
