USS Indianapolis Surivors Multi Signed 9x14 Photograph (D) x10 Veterans

"Hand-Signed 9x14 Photograph of the U.S.S. Indianapolis by Ten Survivors – Authenticated by PSA/DNA

This remarkable 9x14 photograph of the U.S.S. Indianapolis is hand-signed by ten survivors of one of the most harrowing naval tragedies of World War II. This historically significant artifact serves as a powerful tribute to the courage and resilience of the men who endured the torpedoing and sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. Authenticated by PSA/DNA, this exceptional piece comes with a PSA/DNA Letter of Authenticity, ensuring its provenance and authenticity.

Signers – Ten U.S.S. Indianapolis Survivors

This historically significant photograph has been hand-signed by ten survivors who lived through the tragic events of July 30, 1945:

Gerald Poor

Verlin Fortune

Lyle Umenhoffer

Sam Lopez

Adolfo Celaya

John Heller

James Jarvis

John Woolston

Robert Bunai

Harlan Twible

Each of these men endured unimaginable hardship, fighting for survival after their ship was sunk in the Pacific Ocean and spending days adrift in open water, battling dehydration, exhaustion, and relentless shark attacks before rescue.

The U.S.S. Indianapolis – A Mission of Great Importance and a Tragic Loss

The U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) was a Portland-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy that played a pivotal role in World War II. The ship was instrumental in Pacific Theater operations, including the bombardments of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, before undertaking one of the most top-secret missions of the war—delivering components of the atomic bomb ""Little Boy"" to Tinian Island in July 1945.

Having successfully completed its mission, the Indianapolis was en route to the Philippines when, shortly after midnight on July 30, 1945, it was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-58. The ship sank in just 12 minutes, leaving approximately 900 of its 1,195 crew members stranded in the open ocean.

The Harrowing Survival Story

With no immediate distress signal sent, the survivors were left adrift in shark-infested waters for nearly five days. They endured extreme dehydration, exposure, and starvation, with many falling victim to shark attacks and exhaustion. The ordeal became one of the worst naval disasters in U.S. history.

On August 2, 1945, the survivors were finally spotted by a PV-1 Ventura patrol bomber and rescued by the U.S. Navy, but only 316 men survived, making it one of the deadliest maritime disasters in American naval history.

Legacy of the U.S.S. Indianapolis

The tragedy of the U.S.S. Indianapolis remains a defining moment in naval history. In 2018, the U.S. Navy posthumously exonerated Captain Charles B. McVay III, who had been wrongly court-martialed for the loss of the ship. The Indianapolis’ sacrifice and the bravery of its crew are honored at the U.S.S. Indianapolis National Memorial and through continued remembrance by survivors and their families.

Piece Overview

This hand-signed 9x14 photograph of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, featuring signatures from ten survivors, is an extraordinarily rare and museum-worthy artifact from one of the most significant naval tragedies of World War II.

Authenticated by PSA/DNA, this historic piece comes with a PSA/DNA Letter of Authenticity, verifying its authenticity and historical significance.

For military history collectors, naval enthusiasts, and World War II scholars, this signed photograph represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a tribute to the men of the U.S.S. Indianapolis—heroes who endured one of the greatest trials in naval history and lived to tell their story."

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.