Project 888
Name: Richard Eugene DRURY
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second ClassService #: 314 69 22 DOB: Feb 06, 1927 From: Kalamazoo, MI Parents: Harry and Mary Drury Went Aboard: May 12, 1945 Age When Ship Went Down: 18 years, 5 months, 24 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Marilyn Northcutt Henry and Leslie Stuut (Niece) |
 DRURY, Richard E |
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 Richard Eugene Drury was the youngest child of Harry and Mary Drury. His sister Dorothy was age 16 and brother Robert was 14. Richard was 13. The census also reveals that his mother was born in Holland.
The Kalamazoo Gazette for Wednesday, August 15, 1945 reported that Seaman Richard Eugene Drury of 1618 Highland is missing according to a war department telegram.
Drury, the news continued, the 18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Drury, joined the navy in January 1945, and entered his boot training February 19 at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois. He was home on leave in April before being transferred to Shoemaker, Calif. and left Mare Island on July 10* for Pacific duty. His brother Robert W. Drury, hospital apprentice first class, wounded March 4 on Iwo Jima, expects to recover.
* Correct date would be July 16th.
With one son reported missing and one wounded, Harry and Mary Drury read a second article in the same newspaper, same day, same front page:
MILLIONS GO WILD WITH JOY AS WAR ENDS
“. . .tears, laughter, prayers, jubilation . . .”
but these were not the same tears shed and prayers uttered by Harry and Mary.
Robert returned home after the war. A second telegram reported that Richard Eugene Drury, serving aboard USS Indianapolis CA-35 which sunk July 30, 1945, had no chance of survival. Navy records reported his body unrecoverable.
VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA
Niece Leslie Stutt participated in VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA program in 2018 honoring her uncle.
Click on VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA to view from Time Stamp 4:25 - 6:11.
MICHIGAN MEMORIAL PLAQUE
See photographs (posted below) to view a copy of a memorial plaque that was dedicated circa 1946 to honor seventy-two (72) State of Michigan men who served on USS Indianapolis CA-35 and who were Lost At Sea.
Richard Eugene Drury's name is listed on the plaque!
Per the caption on one of the photos, the plaque was originally planned in 1946 for display at a proposed Detroit Civic Center. The plaque was initially displayed at the Detroit Naval Post VFW #233. However, the plaque had vanished for decades, fueling rumors of theft, being melted for scrap, or hidden away in a private basement.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Jeff Ortiz (nephew of LAS Y3 Orlando Ortiz) and Joni Deaver (cousin of LAS sailor S2c Charles Roof Jr.), this priceless piece of history has been re-discovered in the Detroit Historical Society storage basement in Michigan.
One of the photos shows Jeff Ortiz and Ralph McNabb (nephew of LAS F2 Thomas McNabb, Jr) standing behind the very dusty plaque as it was found.
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