SL-641 - Woody James, 16 April 2003

Item — cassette: 641

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

James (b. 1922) recalls his childhood in Alabama. He joined the Navy in 1942, and was sent to Pearl Harbor, where he was attached to the fleet camera party, whose job it was to tow a target for gunnery practice. He requested and got a transfer to the USS Indianapolis, where he served throughout the war. He describes the torpedoing of the Indianapolis, being in the water with the sharks, and talks at length of the efforts of the surivors to clear the name of their Captain, Charles Butler McVay III. Other topics include Saipan, Eniwetok, the Gilbert Islands, and Howling Joe Smith. James ends the interview with his thoughts on marriage and family life, and descriptions of talking before school groups.

Dates

16 April 2003

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection material in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Materials must be used on-site; no use of original material, access copies will be made available for viewing. All items have been digitized and are available. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.