McVay, Charles Butler, III, 1898-1968

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Charles Butler McVay III (August 31, 1898 – November 6, 1968) was an American naval officer and the commanding officer of the cruiser USS Indianapolis when she was lost in action in 1945, resulting in a significant loss of life. Of all captains in the history of the United States Navy, he is the only one to have been subjected to court-martial for losing a ship sunk by an act of war, despite the fact that he was on a top secret mission maintaining radio silence (the testimony of the Japanese commander who sank his ship also seemed to exonerate McVay). After years of mental health problems, he took his own life aged 70 years. Following years of efforts by some survivors and others to clear his name, McVay was posthumously exonerated by the 106th United States Congress and President Bill Clinton on October 30, 2000.
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1798 - 2007. Records Relating to the Sinking of USS Indianapolis, ca. 8/1945 - ca. 12/1945. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn World War II Oral Histories, Interviews and Statements, ca. 4/1942 - ca. 12/1946 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Indianapolis (Cruiser). Records, 1898-1991 (bulk 1945-1946 and 1984-1991). Indiana Historical Society Library
creatorOf Holbrook, Franklin F., 1883-1955. Franklin F. Holbrook collection 1939. Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Heinz History Center Detre Library and Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 1875 - 2006. World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories, ca. 1/1/1942 - ca. 6/1/1946. USS INDIANAPOLIS - Press Release. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn General Records of the Department of the Navy, 1804 - 1983. General Photographic File of the Department of Navy, 1943 - 1958. Photograph of Captain Charles B. McVay Talking to Correspondents After the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) at Guam, ca. 8/1945. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments, 1784 - 2000. 13th Naval District Public Information Department Press Clippings, 1942 - 4/1960. 1942-1946. National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1798 - 2007. Official Military Personnel Files, 1885 - 1998. Official Military Personnel File for Charles B. McVay. National Archives at St. Louis
referencedIn General Records of the Department of the Navy, 1804 - 1983. Secret and Confidential Correspondence, 1919 - 1927. 170-2:1 to 170-2:5 - Submarines, Defense Against Enemy. National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Counsel to the President (Clinton Administration), 1993 - 2001. Meredith Cabe's Files, 1998 - 2001. McVay, Charles Butler III. William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
referencedIn Department of the Navy. Indianapolis (Heavy cruiser). 11/15/1932-7/30/1945 Organization Authority Record United States. National Archives and Records Administration
referencedIn Department of the Navy. U.S. Asiatic Fleet. 1/28/1910-2/15/1942 Organization Authority Record United States. National Archives and Records Administration
Relation Name
associatedWith Holbrook, Franklin F., 1883-1955. person
associatedWith Indianapolis (Cruiser) corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Department of the Navy corporateBody
memberOf United States. Navy corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Litchfield CT US
Ephrata PA US
Subject
Naval history
World War II
World War II, 1939-1945
World War II, 1939-1945
World War II, 1939-1945
Occupation
Naval Officer
Naval officers
Activity

Person

Birth 1898-08-31

Death 1968-11-06

Male

Americans

English

Information

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