Out of the Depths - By: Edgar Harrell with David Harrell

I recently received a complimentary copy of Out of the Depths by Edgar Harrell with David Harrell from Bethany House. Once again, I must admit. I do not normally read autobiographies. I jumped at the chance for this one, because I am very interested in WWII and I thought it would be an interesting read. I was right. I did not know much about the USS Indianapolis before I read this book. Not only did it inform me about the events of the sinking of the ship, but it also gave me a renewed respect for our veterans.

This book is written by Edgar Harrell and his son, David Harrell. Mr. Harrell, Sr. is a retired USMC veteran. He writes in this book the events surrounding the shipping off of the USS Indianapolis, its sinking, the rescuing of its sailors, the attempted cover-up of its sinking, and the final recognition of the brave men who were lost or injured. The USS Indianapolis was the cruiser used to deliver the elements needed for the first atomic bomb. Harrell writes that they brought the secret cargo aboard and left the shore with a quickness, that they understood the importance of their mission even without knowing what they were transporting. They found out later they were carrying the ammunition that would help end the war.

A little after midnight on July 30, 1945, a Japanese submarine fired torpedoes on the USS Indianapolis that would quickly sink the ship. There were over 1,000 sailors on board at the time of its sinking. Out of those 1,000, only around 900 made it into the water. From that 900, only around 300 were ever rescued. Due to the how quickly the ship sank, most sailors who made it off the cruiser, made it off with only the life jackets on their backs. Sadly, this was the least of the horrors they would face. 

The sailors faced trials such as: saline poisoning (from the salt water), shark attacks, hallucinations, hunger/thirst, etc. The sailors that survived these horrible events were rescued around the fifth day of them being in the water. Harrell explains their rescue as an act of God. A pilot, who was flying over the ocean, was having a problem with his radar equipment, when he "just so happened" to spot the survivors in the water. I say "just so happened", because, like Harrell, I don't believe it was an accident, or luck, that allowed the radar to act up at that exact spot. Harrell, a Christian, had been praying with the men and had peace that the Lord was going to protect him and allow him to be rescued.

This book is a reminder of the horrors that war brings, but also a reminder of the goodness of God, even in horrible situations. I'm sure many of the men who died during this time were Christians. Just because they died doesn't mean God didn't care about them. Our finite minds will never truly understand why bad things happen to good people, but we do know that our God has a plan for our lives. Mr. Harrell now lives a few hours from me and I'm hoping to be able to meet him someday to thank him for his service to our God and to our country.

Read this book.