USS Indianapolis National Memorial Challenge Coin CA-35

After delivering enriched uranium for the “Little Boy” atomic bomb to the Mariana Islands, the Indianapolis made her way to join Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf’s Task Force 95, but when she was halfway to the Philippines the ship was intercepted by the Japanese sub I-58 in the open sea. Torpedoed twice in quick succession, she capsized and sank within 12 minutes, taking roughly 300 of the 1,195 crew members with her. Her only distress call was initially believed to be a trap by the Japanese, so the survivors weren’t spotted for over three and a half days, and in the harsh ocean conditions another 570 sailors died, making this tragedy the single largest loss of life at sea from a single ship in the entire history of the U.S. Navy.

This beautiful 2.0″ challenge coin features the USS Indianapolis in shiny silver relief, sailing on an aqua-blue translucent paint fill ocean next to a CA-35 patch. Bordered by a rope edge and a Navy Blue ring with the text, “USS INDIANAPOLIS” and “15 AUGUST 1929 – 30 JULY 1945”, the ship is flanked by two silhouettes of atomic bombs as a reminder of her most important mission. The reverse side has a short summary of her sinking in shiny gold text on a black background, encircled by a red and gold rope.

Commemorate your visit to the USS Indianapolis National Memorial with this memorable WWII challenge coin. This also makes a great gift for friends and family who have respect for those who served!