Edgar Harrell Has Died

oldman

oldman

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Edgar Harrell, the 96 year-old Marine who went into the water after his ship the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed during WWII has died. Out of the 1200+ men that was onboard the ship, only 900+ went into the water before the ship sank and only 300+ survived the 5-day ordeal as most were either eaten by the circling sharks, starvation, suicide or just gave up hope. By the way, the ship had just left Tinian Island after delivering parts for the A-bombs that were dropped on Japan in hope of ending the war. Their rescue was basically a fluke.

Edgar and his son published a book about this event titled, “Out of the Depths,” which is in my library. I really wanted to attend one of the reunions two years ago, but the date was just bad timing for me. Last year, I had all the arrangements made, but had to cancel due to the Coronavirus.

Edgar has put a short synopsis on YouTube for those who care to take about 12 minutes out of their life to hear the story of a true American hero.

God Bless Edgar Harrell, one of my heroes.
 

Can you imagine the horror watching your shipmates being eaten by sharks, and drowning all around you.....the absolute horror ,and how brave and strong that man and those who survived were ?

The snowflakes of today who start crying cuz someone called them a bad name need long lessons on how to grow up...

R.I.P Edgar..they don't make men like you any more
 

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hollydolly said:
Can you imagine the horror watching your shipmates being eaten by sharks, and drowning all around you.....the absolute horror ,and how brave and strong that man and those who survived were ?

The snowflakes of today who start crying cuz someone called them a bad name need long lessons on how to grow up.
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Yes, Holly, you are so right. And whoever said “War is Hell” was also correct. It’s men like these that we have to thank for the freedoms we have today. I tried to imagine what it would have been like to have been in the water with those men. To me, it would have been agony and torture waiting for when it may have been my turn with the sharks. The men that committed suicide did so probably to end the torture.
 
oldman said:
Yes, Holly, you are so right. And whoever said “War is Hell” was also correct. It’s men like these that we have to thank for the freedoms we have today. I tried to imagine what it would have been like to have been in the water with those men. To me, it would have been agony and torture waiting for when it may have been my turn with the sharks. The men that committed suicide did so probably to end the torture.
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You couldn't be more right OM..

.I was doing the same, imagining the horrorof being one of those young men , the 80 guys at first trying to ward off those sharks as the held each other tightly.. and each one being dragged down and eaten one by one, screaming in agony ...others drowning through lack of food or water, or sheer exhaustion.. and all the time those alive wondering if they're going to be next.. the terror.. and yet without food or water except on day 4 the rotten potato.. they had to somehow keep their strength up to continue to swim... just unbelievable Bravery , and strength of mind..

Today if you tell half the young men in the western world they have to work overtime, they star citing PTSD.. it makes me furious...
 
I'm going to have to read up on that. A movie was made about it called USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, but it's not very highly rated. You wouldn't think it would be that hard to make a good movie about something that calamitous. I mean, just tell the damn story! Guess I'll need to read a book about it.
 
My dad served in the navy and knew 2 of the men who were there with Edgar Harrell when that happened. Dad talked about it a couple of times. He said both of the guys he knew were taken by sharks. (Dad served on the USS Ponaganset)
 
Emily Dickinson had a keen perception on many of life's struggles. She wrote this during the Civil War. She was sharing her thoughts on why does life persist during War, when others are dying for her?

It feels a shame to be Alive —
When Men so brave — are dead —
One envies the Distinguished Dust —
Permitted — such a Head —

The Stone — that tells defending Whom
This Spartan put away
What little of Him we — possessed
In Pawn for Liberty —

The price is great — Sublimely paid —
Do we deserve — a Thing —
That lives — like Dollars — must be piled
Before we may obtain?

Are we that wait — sufficient worth —
That such Enormous Pearl
As life — dissolved be — for Us —
In Battle’s — horrid Bowl?

It may be — a Renown to live —
I think the Man who die —
Those unsustained — Saviors —
Present Divinity
 

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