Moynelo, Harold C. ENS.
389853

October 15, 1945

Captain
U.S.S. Indianapolis
C/O Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Dear Sir:

Since the misfortune of the U.S.S. Indianapolis I have received no word from an officer on board, Ensign Harold C. Moynelo, Jr., U.S.N. If you could inform me as to his welfare, it would be deeply appreciated as I am quite anxious to know.

Trusting you for an early reply, I am

Very truly yours,

Mildred R. Hanley

Miss Mildred R. Hanley

4315 Garrison Blvd.
Baltimore 15, Maryland

Pers-8249-mjw

MOYNELO, Harold Clifton, Jr., Ens., USN, 389853

October 4, 1945

My dear Mr. Moynelo:

Enclosed are two photographs of the INDIANAPOLIS. I regret that I could not get them to you sooner.

If these particular views are not satisfactory please let me know and I will try to obtain others.

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

Mr. Harold C. Moynelo, Sr.
5429 Nebraska Avenue, N.W
Washington, D. C.

Captain McVay's second letter respose.

Pers-8249-LK

MOYNELO, Harold C., Ensign, USN, 389853

October 29, 1945

My dear Miss Hanley,

Your letter of October 15 reached me today and I will endeavor to give you what information we have concerning Ensign Harold C. Moynelo, Jr., United States Navy.

The INDIANAPOLIS was enroute to the Philippines from Guam after a run which set a new speed record from San Francisco, and after delivery of an atomic bomb she was approximately 450 miles from Leyte when two heavy under-water explosions occurred on the starboard side forward. She filled rapidly with water through the gaping holes in her under-water body caused by this explosion and within fifteen minutes sank. Many men lost their lives almost instantaneously.

He was with a group of survivors in the water, many of whom were injured. Despite oil-covered water and without food, drinking water, or life rafts, he worked constantly to keep the group together by rounding up stragglers and rescuing men in difficulty. On several occassions he gave away his own life jacket to support other men, finally collapsing himself from exhaustion and later he died peacefully in his sleep. He received a Christian burial at sea.

Ensign Moynelo gave his life that others may live. He had also done his part in the team-work which made the INDIANAPOLIS an efficient fighting unit of the fleet. When men of this calibre pass on, their loved ones and the Navy do indeed suffer a great loss.

Very sincerely,

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

Miss Mildred R. Hanley
4315 Garrison Blvd.
Baltimore 15, Maryland