Kevin Felts
USS Indianapolis Survivor
Donald J. Felts joined the Navy in November, 1940. After training, his first and only ship assignment was aboard the ill-fated USS Indianapolis. It was a U.S. Navy heavy cruiser that was sunk by a Japanese submarine on July 30, 1945, shortly after delivering the internal components of the atomic bombs that were later dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
Up to 900 men initially survived the sinking, but many succumbed to shark attacks, dehydration, and salt poisoning as they awaited rescue; only 316 were saved. BM1 Donald was one of the 316 who were saved. It was and remains the worst naval disaster in U.S.History.
Donald was my father's twin brother. He was a talented artist, inventor. He was married for a time, and had two daughters.
After the Navy, he became a Merchant Seaman, and traveled the oceans of the world. He served in many different capacities, earning a rating card that entitled him to work on any size or type of merchant vessel anywhere.
He'd serve at sea for several years, save his money, and return back to the California desert to draw, paint, and work on inventions that he dreamed up. When he ran out of money, he'd return to the sea. His family would go for months and sometimes years without knowing his whereabouts.
Despite his loner ways, he was kind, thoughtful, and perhaps the most introspective person I've ever known. By all accounts, his war experience resulted in his need for isolation and distance, even from those he loved dearly. He was a very special person, and I thought the world of him. He died too young.
Up to 900 men initially survived the sinking, but many succumbed to shark attacks, dehydration, and salt poisoning as they awaited rescue; only 316 were saved. BM1 Donald was one of the 316 who were saved. It was and remains the worst naval disaster in U.S.History.
Donald was my father's twin brother. He was a talented artist, inventor. He was married for a time, and had two daughters.
After the Navy, he became a Merchant Seaman, and traveled the oceans of the world. He served in many different capacities, earning a rating card that entitled him to work on any size or type of merchant vessel anywhere.
He'd serve at sea for several years, save his money, and return back to the California desert to draw, paint, and work on inventions that he dreamed up. When he ran out of money, he'd return to the sea. His family would go for months and sometimes years without knowing his whereabouts.
Despite his loner ways, he was kind, thoughtful, and perhaps the most introspective person I've ever known. By all accounts, his war experience resulted in his need for isolation and distance, even from those he loved dearly. He was a very special person, and I thought the world of him. He died too young.
