Malone, Michael Leo Jr. LT(jg)
346934

October 9, 1945

Captain Charles. B. McVay, 3rd
Pers-8249-LK
U.S.S. Indianapolis 346934

Dear Captain:
Last week I received your letter in the expression of sympathy to me in the great loss of my son.
My what a horrible tragedy and heartbreak this news has been to me.
Michael Malone was the only child I had living and a tribute to mankind, he was a modest boy, discrete and a personality that was loved by all.
He was all my happiness in this life. I was so proud of him and all that knew him felt likewise.
His father is a veteran of World War I. He has been confined to the Veterans Administration as a patient for the past five years in Wood Wisconsin.
Captain McVay, I would like to ask a question, was my son Michael the senior aviator at the time he met his death.

He himself would never divulge his position, although he spoke of the fliers several times, also made a remark at one time, after 18 months, they usually became a senior aviator.
I have pictures taken aboard ship at the time Michael was presented and honored with the air medal. I am anxious to know if you were the captain that pinned the medal on Michael. I was indeed vey proud of him when I received those pictures.
If it were possible that any of the other fliers were saved, would you please send me their names and addresses, I would appreciate this greatly.
Michael loved his work as a flier, he also spoke of the crew, and officers, as a fine class of men and seemed to be very happy to be one of them. I would like to hear from someone of the survivors that knew Michael, it would be a great consolation to me, just to hear them speak of him.
I shall always as long as I live, wonder how my son lost his life, it could have happened so many different ways.
Oh I just can't write anymore at this time.
Please reply., it will be greatly appreciated.

Very Sincerely,

Mrs. Catherine A. Malone
4838 W. Madison St.
Chicago, Illinois

Pers-8249-ade

Malone, Michail

October 16, 1945

My dear Mrs. Malone,

Your letter of October 9, 1945, concerning your son, Michael, reached me this morning. The questions that you have set forth in this letter, I will try to answer to the best of my ability.

We lost all our records when the ship went down and therefore can only attempt to fill in gaps in the story by memory. Michael was the second senior aviator in the Aviation Unit. He had been aboard longer than any of the other three, but Lieutenant Haynes was actually in command of the unit.

Unfortunately, not one of the aviators survived the tragedy.

I took command of the INDIANAPOLIS on November 18, 1944 at Mare Island, California. A few days later we held a ceremony on the ship at which time I presented medals to certain of the officers under my command. I believe that Michael, was among that group. He was indeed a very fine officer as well as an excellent flier. We were all grieved to learn that he was not among the survivors.

The senior survivor from the Aviation Unit was Anthony F. Maday, Aviation Machinist's Mate, First Class, U.S.M., 2640 North Holly St., Chicago, Illinois.

Again please accept my sympathies.

Very sincerely,
CHAS. B. MCVAY, III Captain, U. S. Navy

Mrs. C. A. Malone
4838 W. Madison St.
Chicago, Illinois