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USS Indianapolis survivor speaks about never giving up

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — One of only about 25 remaining survivors of the 1945 USS Indianapolis sinking spoke at an Indy high school Thursday evening.

In a presentation at Perry Meridian High School, Richard “Dick” Thelen talked about serving on the World War II ship during its final voyage.

Japanese torpedoes torpedoed the vessel July 26, 1945 and it sank less than 15 minutes later.

Four hundred sailors died and many others were cast into shark-infested waters. Survivors, like Thelen, weren’t found for five days.

He said the lessons he learned at sea can apply to anyone.

“I always tell the kids, ‘It don’t matter what the problem is in your life, don’t give up,’” he said.

When asked what his family thought when they found out he was on the ill-fated ship, he said he didn’t tell anyone for seven years.