The biggest shame of that horrific tragedy is that three navy radio stations heard the Indianapolis' distress call; one's commander was drunk, one refused to wake the duty officer, and one thought it was a "Jap trick" and didn't report it.
Discipline saves battles, lives.
“Capt. McVay’s court martial was also the first in our history where an enemy commander - Capt. Hashimoto, commander of the I-58 - testified.”
“Ah, so, this ‘Melican captain, he numba ten skipper! He make ship go allsame straight rine, me have no probrem aim torpedos light down he throat, they go boom, boom! Numba one shoot! You got me more queshuns? No? OK, we go now!”
I had a USNA appointment but turned it down. Even then heard rumors about the Navy scapegoating officers. For those in command, `zero defects’ was strictly enforced.
Captain McVay did his duty to the best of his ability and paid a terrible price. He should not be forgotten.