Harlan Twible graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1945. His first naval assignment was to the USS Indianapolis, a heavy cruiser that was assigned the secret mission of delivering the first atomic bomb to the island of Tinian. Four days after delivering the bomb, the Indianapolis was sunk by enemy action in the Phillipine Sea, sinking so fast that no distress call was sent from the ship. He, and his shipmates who survived the sinking spent 4 days and 5 nights in the water, with almost no fresh water or survival gear. During this time, and, despite injuries he suffered during the sinking, Harlan Twible constantly aided the 325 men in his group, maintaining order among them, ministering to their needs, and preventing half-crazed and injured men from leaving the safety of the group; actions for which the Navy later awarded him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Harlan Twible has hand autographed this Vintage B&W 8x10 Photo with Survivor USS Indianapolis CA-35/Sunk 12:05 July 30, 1945/Rescued August 4, 1945 inscriptions. JSA Authentication #AC92803 and JSA Certificate of Authenticity.