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Navy Admits 70-Year Crew List Error In USS Indianapolis Disaster

Petty Officer Clarence Donnor was mistakenly listed as a passenger on the ill-fated ship before it embarked on a secret mission and was later sunk by a Japanese submarine.
Personnel file photo of RT2c Clarence William Donnor who was mistakenly believed to have been aboard USS Indianapolis (CA-35) when she was sunk by a Japanese submarine 30 July 1945.

On August 12, 1945, days after atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, the Donnors received an official telegram at their home in Big Rapids, Michigan. Their son, U.S. Navy Radio Technician Second Class Clarence W. Donnor was missing in action, it said.

Although they did not know it at the time, Clarence Donnor had been listed as

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