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Project 888

USS Indianapolis CA-35

Lost At Sea

Carl Emerson MIRES
Name: Carl Emerson MIRES
Project 888 Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
Service #: 863 95 56
DOB: Apr 26, 1921
From: Indianapolis, Indiana
Parents:
Went Aboard: Sep 01, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 24 years, 3 months, 4 days
Spouse: Leretta June Cliff
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Admin

Carl Emerson MIRES, S2-Seaman Second Class

MIRES, Carl E
Seaman Second Class Mires was born April 26, 1921 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He went to boot camp at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois in June 1943.
Project 888After boot camp, he went aboard USS Indianapolis on September 1, 1943. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima, air strikes on the Japanese mainland, and assault of Okinawa. During the assault of Okinawa on March 31, 1945, the ship was hit by a Japanese suicide plane and returned to California for repairs. During that time, Carl's wife, Leretta June Cliff, moved out to California to live with him and await his return from war following the repairs. He was lost at sea 4 months later and never returned home to her. Carl received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Purple Heart. Carl and Leretta had no children. Leretta later remarried and had five children. Her son relayed, "We always heard the story of her sailor boy and the loss of his life that brought freedom to this country of ours." Leretta lived in Indianapolis and read an article that was published by IndyStar about LAS Flags being flown over USS Indianapolis memorial. She asked her son to assist her with requesting a flag be flown in Carl's memory, as this had never occurred. On July 24, 2015, Leretta visited USS Indianapolis Memorial and accepted Carl's flag as it was lowered. Left is a photo of Leretta that was taken of her on the day of the special Flag Ceremony. Burial at Sea Carl was one of the three crew members picked up and identified by USS French Tuesday August 7, 1945. His official Burial at Sea Ceremony was performed by the Commanding Officer, LCDE Reginald C. Robbins at 1312 hours. Carl was reverently placed in a sea bag, weighted with two 5" shells and "committed to the deep".

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