The One Who Found Them

By Tom Ellsworth

On July 30, 1945, just after midnight, the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis was torpedoed while en route from Guam to the Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. The resulting explosions so damaged the cruiser that it sank in only 12 minutes. Amazingly, nearly 900 crew members made it into the water. Since the Indianapolis was unable to radio a distress signal, no one knew to look for the ship until it didn”t arrive in port. Consequently, after it was determined the Indianapolis was missing, no one knew where to look for survivors””if indeed there were any.

The shark attacks began the morning after the sinking, and the bloody death toll began to rise. The dwindling number of survivors had been in the water for 96 hours when Lt. Wilbur Gwinn, while on a routine test flight in his Lockheed Ventura, spotted the men and immediately radioed for help. He and his crew dropped all available items that might aid the struggling survivors in the water, and continued to circle until a Navy PBY seaplane appeared. Within hours other naval vessels arrived to aid in the rescue.

A few days later, Gwinn stopped by the naval hospital to see the survivors. Of the 900 crewmen who had entered the water, only 316 lived through the ordeal. When Gwinn entered the hospital ward he was introduced with these words, “Boys, here”s the guy who found you!” Cheers rose from every bed. Gwinn, who was deeply moved, noted it was the most treasured moment of his life.

Gwinn died in 1993, but the remaining few Indianapolis survivors continue to meet annually, and they never forget the one who found them when they were hopelessly lost at sea.

Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). We spiritual survivors gather around the Lord”s table weekly to remember. Let the bread and cup point you to the One who found you when you were hopelessly lost in sin. And let this simple memorial be a reminder that when you found him, it was the most treasured moment of your life!

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Tom Ellsworth serves as senior minister with Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana.