Nearly 80 years after one of the most harrowing episodes in naval history, the National Museum of the Pacific War invites the public to join a solemn tribute on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, honoring the crew of the USS Indianapolis—a ship whose final mission ended in tragedy but left behind a legacy of courage, endurance, and justice.

The tribute begins at 1:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Memorial Courtyard, where guests will gather by the commemorative plaques of the Indianapolis for a moment of reflection. In July 1945, the vessel completed a top-secret mission, delivering components for the atomic bomb later dropped on Hiroshima. Days later, it was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, leading to one of the deadliest naval disasters in American history. Adrift for four days in open Pacific waters, hundreds of sailors succumbed to injuries, dehydration, and shark attacks. Out of nearly 1,200 crew members, only 316 survived.

Following the outdoor memorial, visitors can attend a free screening of the acclaimed documentary USS Indianapolis: The Legacy in the Historic Nimitz Ballroom. The film chronicles the final voyage, the extraordinary survival story, and the decades-long fight to honor the shipmates lost and vindicate those who lived to tell the tale.

🕒 Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025
• Time: 1:00–3:30 p.m.
• Locations: Memorial Courtyard & Historic Nimitz Ballroom
• Admission: Free and open to all

This event exemplifies the Museum’s ongoing mission to preserve the stories of valor and sacrifice across the Pacific Theater of World War II. Visitors are also encouraged to explore the Museum’s extensive exhibits, featuring over 900 artifacts, 15 macro-artifacts, and 40 media installations across six acres of immersive storytelling.

For additional details, visit www.pacificwarmuseum.org.