Combat Development & Integration > Photos > Videos

Video by Sgt. Jamie Arzola

Sgt. Edgar Harrell | USS Indianapolis Survivor

Communication Directorate

Aug. 10, 2018 | 10:49

Cpl Edgar Harrell was stationed aboard the USS Indianapolis during WWII. He was promoted July 29th but couldn't pin on the rank until the ship arrived at the Philippines. But on July 30th, the ship was struck by two Japanese torpedoes, stranding 900 men at sea. The next four and a half days just under 600 men would die from dehydration, hypothermia, shark attacks and saltwater poisoning. Now, 73 years later, due to the efforts of Capt. Scott Montefusco of the Utah Military Organization, Harrell was finally promoted to the rank of sergeant. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Jamie Arzola). For a descriptive transcript text document of this production, contact Kim Hardison at Kimberly.hardison@usmc.mil.