Program Description:
For your consideration, available on PRX: “The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Atomic Bomb: The Price Paid for Liberty.” PRX Link: https://exchange.prx.org/pieces/572416-the-sinking-of-the-uss-indianapolis-and-the-atomic
This version of the program is formatted to fit the NPR Special Programming Clock. (58:58) Two other program versions are available on the PRX website – a 58:25 version and a 2 hour program version, broken into two 1 – hour segments.
Target Air Date — On or around: July 30 — Anniversary / Remembrance date of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis
The USS Indianapolis had just completed its top secret mission to deliver the atomic bomb to Tinian Island, eventually dropped on Hiroshima. On its return trip to the Philippines, she was hit by two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine and sunk in 12 minutes.
Due to communication fouls ups, no one knows the ship is lost at sea!
After spending 5 nights and 4 days in the ocean, without food or water, battling burns, injuries, dehydration, shark attacks and insanity, the crew of the Indianapolis was discovered by accident and a rescue begun. Of the 1195 men aboard ship, only 316 men would survive. 879 men would die in the water. The sinking of the USS Indianapolis is the worst sea disaster in US Naval History.
In years past, four of these survivors, Ed Harrell, Paul Murphy, Lyle Pasket, and Erwin Hensch, were interviewed for this program. Now, the voices of these brave men, though they have all passed on, are brought to life. These survivors share unforgettable and heartbreaking memories about the tragic sinking of their battle tested ship and their struggle to survive against nearly impossible odds. We hear their story of tragedy, survival, heroism and redemption — all part of the enormous cost of liberty.
To complement the survivor interviews, this program includes interview segments with Sara Vladic, co-author of the book, “Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in US Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man.”
Sincerely, Ron
Ron Duffy
Inner Journey Productions
2560 Fisk St.
Roseville, MN 55113
ronduffy@comcast.net
C: 651-353-0054
Program Time Length: 58:58 (fits NPR special program clock with 5 minute news hole; or 58:25 with 2 1 minute breaks at the end of track 1 and 2
Day and Time Available to Stations: Available on the Public Radio Exchange
Program Frequency: Hour long special
Program is compliant with FCC obscenity/indecency rules: Yes
Program is Doing Music Reporting for Syndication: No
Program Has Underwriting Announcements: Yes
Program Contains Sponsorship/Donation Information or Request: No
Program Website Has Products/Services for Sale or Accepts Donations: No
Program Has Pledge Drive Editions or Pitches Available: No
Program Has Pledge Drive Premiums Available: No
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Program Contact if Stations Have Questions: ronduffy@comcast.net
