MICHAEL KURYLA JR., 1925-2009: Survived USS Indianapolis

Chicago Tribune ^ | 10/9/2009 | Joan Giangrasse Kates

[Saije]

Michael Kuryla Jr. found strength from his fellow stranded Navy comrades floating in shark-infested waters of the South Pacific for nearly five days in 1945 during World War II.

Their ship, the USS Indianapolis, sank in just 12 minutes after being hit by two Japanese torpedoes shortly after the ship had delivered the atomic bomb that would level Hiroshima.

Three hundred of Mr. Kuryla's shipmates died that day when the ship went down. Nine hundred were left floating in only life preservers, facing a harsh sun and sharks, as three SOS calls went unanswered. An anti-submarine plane spotted them four days after the attack, and only 317 had survived when help finally arrived.

Mr. Kuryla, who for years was reticent to share details of the ordeal unless asked, found his voice -- and strength -- once again from his comrades. He and other survivors of the USS Indianapolis came together to help exonerate their ship's captain, who they believed was unfairly court-martialed for putting the ship in harm's way.

"They made numerous trips to Washington, D.C., to meet with government officials to speak on his behalf," said Mr. Kuryla's son, Michael.

Mr. Kuryla and the group succeeded in clearing Capt. Charles B. McVay III's name through an act of Congress, which was signed by President Bill Clinton in 2000. Mr. Kuryla remained an active speaker, a living example of extraordinary sacrifice for country...

Mr. Kuryla, 84, of Bartlett, who also served as a former public works director for the village of Hillside, died of cancer Saturday, Oct. 3, in his home, his son said.

"If you're lucky in life, there's a handful of people that really inspire you," said longtime Hillside Village President Joe Tamburino. "Mike was one of those people. He was extraordinary."

[SunkenCiv]

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