FREE ESSAY ON FATAL VOYAGE

FATAL VOYAGE

FATAL VOYAGE
The Sinking of the 
USS Indianapolis
by
Dan Kurzman
8 September 2000
The United States Navy's core values are based on Honor, Courage, and Commitment. These
three basic principles have laid the foundation for the continued success of the Navy and
has enabled us to meet and conquer every new challenge. 
Honor - true faith and allegiance; conducting ourselves in the highest ethical manner in
all relationships with peers, superiors, and subordinates. Abide by an uncompromising
code of integrity, taking responsibility for our actions and keeping our word.
Courage - support and defend; make decisions in the best interest of the Navy and the
nation, without regard to personal consequences. Be loyal to our nation, ensuring the
resources entrusted to us are used in an honest, careful, and efficient way.
Commitment - obey the orders; demand respect up and down the chain of command. Show
respect to all people without regard to race, religion, or gender. Be committed to
positive change and constant improvement.
Fatal Voyage displayed countless examples of all of the above principles. From the
Commanding Officer of the USS Indianapolis (Captain McVay), to the Japanese I-58
Commander (Hashimoto), and both of their crews, these core values were exemplified with
pride and professionalism. 
Commander Hashimoto demonstrated honor throughout the book. He served his Emperor with
true faith and allegiance. He and his crew dedicated themselves to their mission even
when a majority of them new that the fight would soon be over and not in the favor of the
Japanese. 
Captain McVay, a very proud man from a long history of Navy tradition, showed immense
honor after his ship was sunk. From a floating crate, Captain McVay sat looking around at
the surviving members of his crew. These people were no longer merely members of his
crew, but they were now a part of him. He felt their agony, he felt their deaths, and he
felt their spirit. It was no longer a matter of being the Captain of a ship, but a matter
of survival. His knew role was keeping the remaining members of his crew alive and giving
them hope. After being found guilty by court-martial, Captain McVay quietly accepted the
courts decision. He sacrificed his honor to help ease the pain and suffering of 880
families. Although there were many people that could have been blamed for this tragic
incident, Captain McVay displayed honor by holding himself accountable both
professionally and personally. 
All of the members of the USS Indianapolis demonstrated courage by risking their lives to
save the lives of others without regard to personal consequence. Many crew members
supported the weight of other crew members who were injured or who were unable to find
life jackets before abandoning ship. The survivors, whose mission was transformed from
search and destroy to survival of the fittest under extreme conditions in shark infested
water, displayed the ultimate courage. They challenged each other to survive. 
The Japanese military, on the brink of extinction, took drastic measures in courage.
Japanese crew members, without hesitation, volunteered for suicide missions. They did
this to please their Emperor and their godly ancestors. 
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These volunteers were used as human torpedoes. Although Hashimoto did not agree with this
strategy, he obeyed orders. This display of courage was thought to have brought
everlasting glory and fortune. 
Members of the USS Indianapolis exhibited the highest degrees of moral character. They
worked together as a team to stay alive as a team taking turns supporting the injured and
encouraging the weak. They were committed to life, theirs as well as those around them.
After being without water for four days, Dr. Hayes the ship's surgeon, found a pint of
water in a raft that was dropped down by the rescuers. Without thinking about his own
injuries and wants, he ensured that each man was given their fair share of the water. Not
once did Dr. Hayes worry about himself. He was committed to doing whatever he could to
comfort those Sailors in need. 
Captain McVay demonstrated commitment by taking responsibility for the sinking of his
ship and the death of 880 men. He was committed to the Navy and committed to the men
under his command throughout his career.
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