Sebastian, Clifford H. RM2
305 82 49

Monday
October 1, 1945
Dear Capt. McVay

I received your "firm" letter today,
And as that tells me absolutely nothing more than was already printed in the papers, you could just as well have saved yourself the time and trouble of signing your name to it.
I have received word from several of the survivors that Clifford went over the side of the ship when it was hit, that the sub did take some of the men prisoners, and that as far as they know, Clifford is now a prisoner of war. These boys have seen too much of death to write anything like that to me if it wasn't true. I knew most of them personally because I lived out at Mare Island twice while the ship was being repaired and was even aboard the Indianapolis
Don't you realize how cruel it is to send out telegrams and letters saying these men are dead, when there is a chance they are still alive? Surely you must know, as well as these other boys, but some of the men were taken by the Japs. After all, the captain should be the last one off his ship, so you must have seen what happened. I even heard from two boys on other ships that they positively know the Japs took some prisoners. All these men can't be wrong.
Clifford was on watch when the ship was hit. You must remember him as his battle station was on the bridge with you and Admiral Spruance. He is one of the radio men. I even saw you and your wife one night in July and you were going to Bernstein's for dinner.
If you would care to write me a personal letter, I surely would appreciate it. As it is only 2 months since the ship was sunk, nothing can be really definite, and I am not going to give Clifford up as dead. Down in my heart I know that he is still alive and will come home; I really mean that. And until such time as I have actual proof, I'll not give him up.

Sincerely
Mrs Clifford Sebastian
2824 No Hartung Ave
Milwaukee 10, Wis

Clifford Harry Sebastian RM2c
305-82-49

Pers-8249-ade

October 15, 1945

My dear Mrs. Sebastian,

Your letter of October 1, 1945, regarding your husband, Clifford Harry Sebastian, reached me yesterday.

I regret exceedingly that you have been misinformed regarding the taking of prisoners. So far as I have been able to determine, not one of the survivors saw any type ship either before the INDIANAPOLIS sank or after they were in the water, so I cannot understand how anyone could have said your husband was a prisoner of war.

The telegram you received stating your husband had been killed in action was sent out only after it had been established beyond any reasonable doubt that there was no hope for his survival.

I do remember your husband well and know him to be a fine radioman as well as a good shipmate but I am quite sure he was not on watch on the bridge the night of the disaster.

I honestly believe there is no chance of any survivors other than the fifteen officers and three hundred and one enlisted men now accounted for.

With renewed sympathy,

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

Mrs. Clifford Sebastian
2824 No. Hartung Avenue
Milwaukee 10, Wisconsin