Posted on: Thursday, July 12, 2001

Navy clears record of USS Indianapolis skipper McVay

Advertiser Staff

The Navy secretary has officially appended an exoneration of guilt to Capt. Charles Butler McVay III's military record, the final chapter in clearing McVay's name in the 1945 sinking of the USS Indianapolis.

McVay was the commanding officer of the cruiser when a Japanese submarine sank it. More than 800 crewmen died. A general court-martial convicted McVay of negligently hazarding his ship by failing to steer a "zigzag" course. He committed suicide in 1968.

After extensive review, Congress this year decided McVay's record should reflect his exoneration.

McVay's son, Kimo, worked for 55 years to clear the captain's name. Kimo McVay died June 29.