WW II crew honored with Congressional Gold Medal

In a virtual ceremony, U.S. Congress bestowed Congressional Gold Medal, its highest honor to crew of USS Indianapolis that was sunk by a Japanese submarine in July 30, 1945 while returning from delivering key components for Hiroshima atomic bomb.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leer Mitch McConnell, Navy officials and dignitaries of Indiana recognized USS Indianapolis - marking 75th anniversary of its sinking in shark-infested waters. Only 317 of its nearly 1,200 crewmen survived.

"For ir indispensable contributions to vancement of freedom and democracy. USS Indianapolis- its 1195 crewmen are worthy of our greatest esteem," Pelosi said.

Kenneth Braithwaite, U. S. Secretary of Navy said: "If it wasn't for you and your shipmates, history may have turned out very differently."

Portland class heavy cruiser earned 10 battle stars, including Battle of Iwo Jima and Battle of Okinawa, before it was hit by Japanese torpedoes during Second World War. re remain eight survivors of Indianapolis.