Eighty Years Later, Harold Bray Endures

A Legacy of Survival and Resilience

In the small town of Benicia, California, a 7-foot-tall statue of Harold Bray stands proudly at the corner of Military and First streets. Created by artist Matt Glenn, the statue captures Bray as a teenager in his U.S. Navy uniform, with a warm smile and a glint of hope in his eyes. "I wanted to show the sparkle in his eye as if he was saying, 'Everything is going to be OK,'" Glenn shared during the statue's unveiling in 2023.

Bray, now 98 years old, calls himself "the luckiest man in the world." But this title comes after an unimaginable ordeal that took place on July 30, 1945. On that day, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, leaving Bray among the 317 sailors who leapt into the Philippine Sea. The ship had just delivered a nuclear bomb to Hiroshima, but its fate would soon become one of the most tragic in naval history.

The Tragedy of the USS Indianapolis

The USS Indianapolis was struck by two torpedoes from the Japanese submarine I-58, commanded by Captain Mochitsura Hashimoto. The attack killed approximately 300 of the 1,195 crew members, with the rest jumping into the sea. Among them was 18-year-old Harold Bray, who had made the fateful decision to sleep topside earlier that night. This choice may have saved his life.

Bray described the moment the ship began to sink: "At first I couldn't believe it was going down — how could something so beautiful sink?" He recalled grabbing a lifeline and jumping into the water, where he encountered thick oil and the terrifying presence of sharks. For three and a half days, Bray and the other survivors floated in the sea, with no hope of rescue.

Leadership and Survival

Despite being just 18, Bray quickly took charge of a group of 18 men, using his training and natural leadership skills to guide those around him. "The key was always trying to stay above the water," he said. Eventually, he found a life jacket from a deceased sailor, which helped him survive.

Bray credits Dr. Lewis Haynes and sailor Thomas "Pappy" Goff for helping him avoid drinking saltwater, which could have been fatal. He also learned from experience that staying in the center of the group reduced the risk of shark attacks. If a shark approached, he would kick it away rather than fight it, a strategy that worked surprisingly well.

After days of waiting, a PV-1 Ventura aircraft spotted the survivors, and they were eventually rescued by the USS Bassett. Bray recalls the overwhelming relief of seeing the rescue ships arrive: "I can't describe to you how it felt when the ships started showing up to rescue us."

Life After the War

Following the war, Bray received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946 and moved to Benicia, where he lived ever since. He joined the Benicia Police Department, working in patrol and narcotics until his retirement in 1983. Despite his harrowing experiences, Bray often joked about his career choice. "When I was in the eighth grade, my teacher asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up and I told her that I wanted to be a police officer," he said.

Bray’s daughter-in-law, Debbi, shared stories of his unique approach to policing. "He would sometimes catch kids doing bad things and make them wash the police cars. He'd say, 'They don't deserve to go to jail. They're just young and stupid right now and need a little scare.'"

The Last Man Standing

With the passing of Cleatus Lebow in October 2023, Bray became the last surviving member of the USS Indianapolis. While he appreciates the attention and recognition, he remains humble. "I'm the luckiest guy in the world and I really appreciate all the stuff that comes for me all the time," he said. "But I don't want to put myself ahead of anyone."

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Sam Cox praised Bray’s resilience and courage. "Harold had all those skills beyond what any of us can imagine," he said. "None of the people aboard that ship had any choice in the matter concerning the cargo it was delivering, but they did have a choice concerning the skills that it took to survive."

A Hero's Legacy

Bray has continued to share his story, inspiring others through his memoirs and public appearances. Author Sara Vladic, who wrote "Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man," highlighted the importance of Bray’s perspective. "From Harold, I learned a lot about the perspective of the very young men who went aboard Indianapolis and survived," she said.

Bray’s wife, Stephanie, describes him as a great man with a strong sense of humor. "He still has a great sense of humor and we sit and laugh a lot," she said. "It's for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health."

As the 80th anniversary of the USS Indianapolis disaster approaches, Bray continues to inspire with his story of survival, resilience, and humility. His legacy serves as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up.