Left for Dead

Many of the men who survived the sinking of the Indianapolis suffered from severe and persistent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Miner had persistent nightmares about his friend Ray dying in his arms. Twible had dreams that the Indianapolis was sailing through his bedroom. He refused to speak about the incident until 1989. Moseley was haunted by the memory of the young boy who fell back into the hatch and drowned; he wished that he had let the young boy climb through the hatch first. Smith, although he appeared as happy and jovial, had recurrent terrifying nightmares about being in shark-infested waters. McCoy, for the rest of his life, heard the screams of men sealed into the sinking ship when the hatches were dogged. Other crew members suffered from Post Traumatic Amnesia, causing them to be disconnected, aloof, and unhappy.

In 1960, McCoy organized a reunion of the survivors. He was able to track down 220 of the 317 survivors. A closed-door session was then held where men confessed, testified, atoned, and apologized. They shared memories and nightmares. All of the men felt that their Captain had been unfairly treated; the men saluted McVay as he arrived, and McVay, overwhelmed, cried at this reception.