U.S.S Indianapolis

The Case:

An Ohio man wonders if the souvenirs collected by his uncle while stationed on the U.S.S. Indianapolis during World War II could possibly be remnants of one of Japan’s famous kamikaze attacks.

While home on leave, the uncle shared a story with his family about a kamikaze attack on his cruiser. Sadly, when the uncle returned to duty, he was killed when the U.S.S. Indianapolis was torpedoed during the final weeks of World War II.

Inside a cedar chest, his family found some mementos he’d brought home when he was on leave. They included a Japanese metal sign, military patches and a piece of mangled metal.

History Detectives goes to Ohio to take a closer look at these souvenirs of war and see if they're related to a kamikaze pilot’s attack.

Along the way, they learn more about the fascinating and tragic history of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, the cruiser at the center of the worst sea disaster in U.S. Naval history.

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