Off The Wall Media

Eighty years ago today, a kamikaze struck Indianapolis at Okinawa, taking the lives of nine sailors and wounding twenty others. We pause to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who bore the scars of that fateful day.

Among them was Elmer Mickalson, Zeb Yaklich's Grandpa, who had served aboard Indianapolis for nearly seven years before the attack on March 31, 1945. Though his Purple Heart was awarded years later, his service records confirm he was among the wounded. The article in the photo may have misstated the date, but the history remains—Elmer was there, and he endured.

Elmer had already witnessed history firsthand. On December 7, 1941, Indianapolis was out on maneuvers when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Elmer, who had stayed behind for a Navy wrestling tournament, spent the aftermath evacuating burn victims—sailors and civilians alike—to hospitals and makeshift triage stations.

Fate intervened once more when he was transferred off Indianapolis before her final mission. Many of his closest friends were lost, including the man who was to be his best man. Survivor’s guilt followed him for the rest of his life.

Today, we remember Elmer and all those who served aboard Indianapolis. To the nine lost—Winston Arnold, Marvin Douglas, Calvin Emery, John Gerhard, Matt Klucaric, Richard Kuchenbach, Epifanio Lobato Jr., Earl Procai, and Byron Smiley—and to the nineteen wounded, we owe more than words can express. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

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