Out of the Depths: An Unforgettable WWII Story of Survival, Courage, and the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis - Paperback

by Harrell Edgar Usmc (Author), David Harrell (Author), Lt Col Oliver L. North (Foreword by)

A WWII Hero's Miraculous Survival at Sea

July 30, 1945: After transporting uranium for the atomic bomb that would soon be dropped on Hiroshima, the USS Indianapolis headed unaccompanied toward a small island in the South Pacific. At 12:14 a.m., she was struck by two Japanese torpedoes, rolled over, and sank.

Marine survivor Edgar Harrell vividly describes the horrors of being plagued by dehydration, exposure, saline poisoning, and sharks. This is a story of courage, ingenuity, and faith in God's providence in the midst of the greatest catastrophe at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy.

Front Jacket

To keep us all together through the massive crests of waves, our dwindling little group formed a circle and fastened our life jackets to one another. Those who didn't have a jacket hung on to someone who did.
As our bodies baked in the open sea, we began to realize that the sun was transitioning from friend to foe. It soon blistered our previously chilled and now exposed flesh. We tore our clothing to make protective hoods, but the ultraviolet rays reflecting off the water still managed to find our skin. The bright glare forced us to squint our eyes until our facial muscles became utterly exhausted. Our eyes also burned from the caustic saltwater waves that constantly splashed our faces.
Late on that first day, around dusk, we had company. To our horror, we saw several large black dorsal fins cutting through the water and circling our group. I cannot describe the fear . . .

Back Jacket

The Inspiring True Story of a World War II Hero's Miraculous Survival at Sea

July 30, 1945--The USS Indianapolis is making its way through the South Pacific, unescorted, assured by headquarters the waters are safe. Fresh off a top-secret mission to deliver uranium for the atomic bombs that would ultimately end World War II, Marine Edgar Harrell and his shipmates are unaware their ship is being watched. Minutes later, six torpedoes are slicing toward the Indy . . .

For five horrifying days and nights after their ship went down, Harrell and his shipmates had to fend for themselves in the open seas. Plagued by dehydration, exposure, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks, their numbers were cruelly depleted before they were miraculously rescued. This is one man's story of courage, ingenuity, and faith in God's providence in the midst of the worst naval disaster in U.S. history.

"A harrowing account of the sacrifice of sailors and Marines who fought and died for their country, so we could live. It is a story you should not and will not ever forget."--Jeremiah A. Denton Jr., RAdm, USN (Ret.)

"A gripping tale of men tested beyond anything they thought possible--and how they responded with bravery, endurance, and faith."--Oliver L. North, Lt. Col., USMC (Ret.)

Author Biography

Edgar Harrell, USMC (Ret.), lives in Tennessee with his wife, Ola, enjoying their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren. Edgar speaks extensively around the United States about his survival at sea.

David Harrell, PhD, son of Edgar Harrell, is the senior pastor-teacher of Calvary Bible Church in Joelton, Tennessee. He is married to Nancy, and together they have three children and a growing number of grandchildren.