USS Indianapolis Survivors and USS Bassett Crewmen 1944-45 Photo Gallery by Steve Butler at pbase.com

USS Indianapolis Survivors and USS Bassett Crewmen 1944-45

This is a collection of pictures that recently surfaced that were taken on board the USS Bassett shortly (not shortly enough) after the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in WW2 in August of 1945. They were scanned and e-mailed to me in hopes that I could improve and print them. I did print copies of them and sent them back to New York for them to be sent to survivors of the USS Indianapolis and crewmembers of the USS Bassett. I also uploaded them to this sight so others could enjoy them as well. I wish I had more to post but this is all I have for now.

Steve B.

P.S. comments are encouraged, let me know where you are from Thanks

Some of the USS Indianapolis Crewmen	USS Indianapolis- Survivors on deck of the USS Bassett (1)	USS Indianapolis - Survivors on deck of the USS Bassett (2)	USS Indianapolis - Survivors on deck of the USS Bassett (3)
USS Indianapolis - Survivors on deck of the USS Bassett 8-5x11 (4)	USS Bassett - Two men standing on deck (5)	USS Indianapolis - Survivors on the USS Bassett - Looking into the ocean (6)	USS Indianapolis - Survivors on the USS Bassett - Sitting on deck (7)
USS Indianapolis - Survivors on the deck of the USS Bassett - Sitting around long pole (8)	USS Bassett Ship.jpg

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peter pruyn		05-Nov-2011 03:31
Ms. Page, scroll down for my info and contact me at your leisure, Peter Pruyn.

Kaila N. Page		26-Oct-2011 03:19
This page is so dear to me. My grandfather, Arthur Cook, passed away this past May. He was a cook and gunner on USS Bassett APD 73. I have many pictures he had from his time on the ship. He also couldn't speak of this traumatic event without choking up and many things no one knew simply for that reason. I never knew that you guys had photos. I have a full shelving of things to remind me of him, and if I could ever get my hands on these or other photos it would mean the absolute world to me! Thank you for taking the time to honor and remember these fine military men, and for blessing me with this site. Please feel free to contact me if you guys have anything you could copy/send/email to me!!! Kaila Page

Kaila N. Page		26-Oct-2011 03:18
This page is so dear to me. My grandfather, Arthur Cook, passed away this past May. He was a cook and gunner on USS Bassett APD 73. I have many pictures he had from his time on the ship. He also couldn't speak of this traumatic event without choking up and many things no one knew simply for that reason. I never knew that you guys had photos. I have a full shelving of things to remind me of him, and if I could ever get my hands on these or other photos it would mean the absolute world to me! Thank you for taking the time to honor and remember these fine military men, and for blessing me with this site. Please feel free to contact me if you guys have anything you could copy/send/email to me!!! Kaila Page

Kaila N. Page		26-Oct-2011 03:17
This page is so dear to me. My grandfather, Arthur Cook, passed away this past May. He was a cook and gunner on USS Bassett APD 73. I have many pictures he had from his time on the ship. He also couldn't speak of this traumatic event without choking up and many things no one knew simply for that reason. I never knew that you guys had photos. I have a full shelving of things to remind me of him, and if I could ever get my hands on these or other photos it would mean the absolute world to me! Thank you for taking the time to honor and remember these fine military men, and for blessing me with this site. Please feel free to contact me if you guys have anything you could copy/send/email to me!!! Kaila Page

Sherry Adkins		06-Jun-2011 18:03
I am from Meridian, Ms. My Mother's brother, my Uncle was on the USS Indianapolis when it was bombed by the Japanese and sank. James McLaurin Harrison, my Uncle Mack, was Lost at Sea. His family never knew what happened to him but pray he was killed during the bombing and not later in the water by sharks. His mother, my Grandmother, never could accept that he was gone without a body. His family did lay a marker to honor him in the family cemetery. I wasn't born when he was killed but I feel like I knew him because of so many stories and memories my Mother and other family members have shared over the years. I am so thankful to have a family of Military Heroes and thank God for their service to our Country and those that are fighting today for our freedoms. God bless them all and their families and God Bless America!!

Vicki Barnhill		31-Jan-2011 03:50
My Dad, Glenn H. Barnhill, was on the USS Basset when it rescued men from the USS Indianapolis. He is 93 years old and lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He said that event was one of the most horrifying experiences of his life -- seeing those men in such terrible condition. The first time I ever saw my Dad cry was when he told me about that rescue.

Peter Pruyn		12-Dec-2010 09:03
My name is Peter Pruyn, I provided these photos, to Steve Butler who was gracious enough to touch them up and post them. I was close friends with survivor James "Denny" Price. I do have contact information for Jack Paul as well as other bassett and Indianapolis crew members. I can be contacted at brothersvilleknife@gmail.com. or 631-793-9052. I apologize for the delay in posting, I have been neglectful in checking this site.

William E. Preuit		11-Dec-2010 17:35
I served on the Bassett from 1951 till Sept. 1955. Started as Seaman and left as RD1. Great ship, great crew, Capt. Ady was one of the best. Like to hear from anyone that served with me.

Steve Savage		08-Dec-2010 17:55
I have gotten to know many of the men from the Indianapolis and would like to know where I can get copies of some of these photos to pass along to them. I had a chance to meet Jack Paul from the Bassett at the Indy reunion in July, and would like to keep in touch with him. Any idea where he may be? Will there be any further reunions for the Bassett that you are aware of?

James S. Bargsley		03-Nov-2010 01:41
I am the Radioman 3rd Class on the USS Bassett from Cedar Park.

Guest		03-Nov-2010 01:35
I have enjoyed your web site. Thank you. I was a Radioman 3rd Class on the USS Bassett from 1942 - 1945. I am 86yrs. old, live in Cedar Park, Texas

Thomas Whitmore		25-Aug-2010 15:44
My uncle, Arthur E. Cook, served as cook, on the USS Bassett from its commission to its decomission. He is now 83 years old and was quite shocked that so much information was still available on the USS Bassett and this historic moment in history. Thank you for posting these photos, and more importantly, for making an old veteran feel special! Mr Cook now lives in Kannapolis NC and is very special to me.

don battaglini		07-Apr-2010 23:02
I was a crew member on the uss bassett apd 73 from 10/1953 to 8/1956 as a boilerman I had not known at that time about the rescue event until I saw it on the history chanal.At the time I was on board the bassett no one ever said anything about the rescue.Iam certenly proud to have been a crew member.

David Jones		14-Feb-2009 00:29
My cousin S2c James C. Nichols of Obion Co. TN was an Indy survivor picked up by the USS Bassett and I'm sure he is in one of these poignant photos, thanks for posting them. He joined his fallen shipmates December 1, 2008.

Jennifer Padgett		10-May-2008 03:08
My Grandfather was a crew member of the Bassett from 44-late 45. Any info would be welcome on William "Bill" H. Smith of Nashville, TN. He did not speak of the war and hated boats. After the War he raised three kids in Nashville and worked for the L&N RailRoad.

Terri Williams		02-May-2008 15:59
I was so surprised and moved to discover these pictures. My Daddy's big brother was lost on the Indy and it devastated his entire family. I've made a digital scrapbook with family pictures and USS Indianapolis pictures to memorialize my Uncle Bobby. I hope Steve doesn't mind my adding these. God bless Steve for taking the time and effort to restore these old pictures into memories of tragedy and triumph.

Lucy McQueen		31-Mar-2008 23:56
My uncle Santos Pena from Tucson, AZ was one of the survivors. He just passed away this week. His services will be this weekend 4/4-4/5/08. Looking at these photos really brings home the bittersweet events of the day of the rescue. God bless all the men and families of the USS Indianapolis and the rescuers of the USS Bassett. Lucy M. - Tucson, AZ

Dave Smith		12-Oct-2007 05:10
These photos take me back to my childhood and the memories of stories my father (William Smith - Signalman) told me about his time serving on the Bassett APD73. - Dave Smith

Jeff Nance		20-Jan-2007 00:41
Steve: I am Jeff Nance VP Board of Directors of the USS Indianapolis Museum opening July 1, 2007 in downtown Indianapolis. I would like to speak with about these and other photos. Museum web site www.ussindianapolis.us

Ray Houghtaling		26-Aug-2006 00:37
Where did you get these photos? My father was a crew member of the Basset and organizer of the USS Basset Reunion Organization. They have been trying to track down these and other photos taken by Art Bliss on the Basset.

click on thumbnails for full image