Straughn, Howard V.

Oct. 9, 1945

Capt. Chas B. McVay 3

My dear mr McVay.
I am certainly glad to know that your survived the awful trgedy of the Indianapolis and glad to receive your nice letter concerning my son Cpl Howard V. Straughn Jr. U.S.M.C If you can give me any further details concerning his death it certainly will be appreciated. I would also like to have the names and addresses of the nine Marines that survived if possible and also whether the Chaplain survived. My son was certainly proud of the Indianapolis he said it was a swell ship. I would like to get a good picture of it if I could. If you know where I might be able to secure one I would appreciate it very much if you would let me know. Thank you for your kindness and consideration.

Very Sincerely

H. V. Straughn La Grange Ky

Pers-8249-adc

October 16, 1945

My dear Mr. Straughn,

Your letter of October 9, 1945, requesting further details concerning the manner in which your son, Corporal Straughn, lost his life, reached me this morning.

I regret exceedingly that the only information I have was contained in my letter to you of September 28, 1945. I realize fully how inadequate the story we have been able to reconstruct must seem to the families of those boys who did not survive. However, I am sure you will understand when you realize this happened in the middle of the night and the ship went down so rapidly that we were not able to save any of our records.

Chaplain Conway did not survive. A list of the Marines who did come through is forwarded herewith as well as a picture of the ship which you have requested.

Again may I express my deepest sympathy to you.

Very sincerely,

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

Mr. H. V. Straughn
LeGrange, Kentucky