Neu, Hugh Herbert S2
848 83 03
1757 Welton St.
Denver, Colo
Chas. B. Mcvay, III
Captain, U. S. Navy
Dear Captain.
You just don't know how much I have appreciate hearing from you.
It seem like yesterday that my husband and I has left Mare Island Calif. I still can believe that Hugh
is gone its one of the hardest thing too do. But I still have hope that he'll show up someplace
I just can tell you how I feel. Sometimes life isn't worth living for. And I knew that you understand
Also knew how you feel that those are thing that can be helped.
Now Captain McVay if it isn't too much trouble for you I could like to have a picture of Indianapolis
Cruiser also a picture of Hugh Class picture.
My mother-in-law has a picture of his class at it 43-436 the number. I'll be more than glad to pay you
for these picture for they'll mean so much to me.
I really would like to know more about the boys and just what took places their was so many
different stories about the USS Indianapolis that I can hardly believe it. But if you find out more
about please let me.
And I sure do thank you lot hoping to hear from you soon.
Yours truly:
Mrs Carmelia Neu
1757 Welton Street
Denver Colo
Pers-8249-ade
October 17, 1945
Neu, Hugh Herbert
My dear Mrs. Neu,
Today I received your letter requesting a picture of the INDIANAPOLIS and also a class picture of Hugh's.
Enclosed is the picture of the ship, but I regret to say that I do not know what could be meant by "class picture" unless it was taken when Hugh attended some service school. We do not have a copy here in the Bureau and we do not know where to obtain one.
I am sorry that I can give you no further information concerning your husband. All available information was contained in my letter to you of September 28, 1945.
Again may I express my deepest sympathy to you.
Very sincerely,
CHAS B. MCVAY, III
Captain, U. S. Navy
Mrs. Carmellia Neu
1757 Welton St.
Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colo October 28. 1945
recd 11-3-45 (handwritten notes)
Hugh Herbert Neu
848 83 03
Chas. B. McVay III
Captain, U. S. Navy
Dear Chas:
I sure do thank you for the picture of USS Indianapolis.
I'll not be satisfied until you will answer my questions. I just can believe it won't believe that my
husband is at the bottom of that terrible sea.
Now you said that you were 450 moles from Leyte. Was their any Island near by that their was a chance
of boys swimming to it. Was it nite or day time? If it was nite were the boys sleeping? And just where
was Hugh at. I also would like to know, what was Hugh in. Top Deck or botten Deck.1
And you also said that most mens lost their lives instantaneously.
Now was Hugh one of these or was one of boys that died third or fourth days.
And you said also that their was no other survivors were picked up.
May I write too some of those survivors that were picked up, if they knew my husband. Are these survivors
now in States or still in hostipal. And I also would like to know how come that Indianapolis Cruisers
was not escorted.
I wished I could talked too you instead of writing because their is lot more I like to knew. It just
don't seem right for so many boys losing their lives for something they haven't done.
Mr McVay you just don't knew how its hurts to see the boys coming home that my husband used too around
with, and him not do. I just can tell you I feel. And if Hugh has lost his life as you say, What have
I too live for: This war will never be over with, if Hugh don't come home. I know you can understand and
know just how I feel. Because it hasn't been too easy for me. To think that he had to come war and
lose his life.
I just have a feeling that I'll hear from him soon.
I really don't think that no one knew what become of all those boys and beenging you were one I just
knew what a feeling you had and still you don't know if all those boys when down with this ship.
I have heard different stories about USS Indianapolis. And it really ashamed that it had too happen.
I hope I hear from you soon, and I am still in hopes and have lot of faith that some of those boys will showed up.
Yours sincerely:
Mrs Carmella Neu
1757 Welton Street
Denver Colorado
Pers-8249-LK
NEU, Hugh Herbert, S2c, 848 83 03, USNR
November 9, 1945
My dear Mrs. Neu,
Your letter of October 28th in which you ask for further information concerning the loss of the U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS has been received.
I will attempt to answer all your questions as best I can from the known facts.
The INDIANAPOLIS was over three hundred miles from the nearest island when she sank and the water was over 1200 fathoms deep so I do not believe anyone could have reached land.
The ship sank shortly after midnight and so most men were asleep when the explosion occurred. Since all records went down with the ship, to my knowledge not even a scrap of paper was saved. I have no way of determining whether your husband was on the upper deck or below deck at the time the ship went down.
My statement about survivors meant to convey that in my opinion there could be no survivors other than the fifteen officers and three hundred one enlisted now known to be alive. That these officers and men were picked up over a twenty-four hour period and though a search was continued for many days thereafter by both ships and planes covering a wide area no other person was even found.
There is enclosed a copy of the list of survivors and there home addresses. All survivors have been returned to the mainland.
I can fully understand how hard it is for you to overcome your grief and in this you have my heartfelt sympathy. I also know how difficult it is for you to believe I have told you all I know but when you realize that all this happened in a few minutes in the middle of the night and that we saved no records of any description maybe that will help explain why no more is known.
Very sincerely,
CHAS. B. MCVAY, III
Captain, U. S. Navy
Mrs. Carmellia Neu
1757 Welton Street
Denver Colorado
1757 Wilton Street
Denver Colorado
Dear Captain McVay III
I thank you very much for a list of survivors you send.
Now Captain McVay their still is a few thing I like to know om till than I'll not be satisfied.
What is the mystery behind USS Indianapolis Cruiser.
Why is pag 1 missing and their are suppose to be 316 survivors and their 308.
Your storys to not Click together. Thier is something funny. Now if my husband is gone has you say. I want
more details about him bienging missing. And if he is in hostipal someplace, I also want too knew.
I knew you feel the same way has I do if you were in my places.
I don't see why than poor boys had to suffer fer something that they weren't to blame.
Yours truly
Mrs Camellia Neu
1757 Wilton Street
Denver Colo
Pers-8249-LK
NEU, Hugh Herbert, S2c, 848 83 03, USNR
December 10, 1945
My dear Mrs. Neu,
This will acknowledge receipt of your letter received several days ago concerning your husband, Hugh Herbert Neu.
All possible information concerning your questions were furnished in my letters to you dated October 17 and November 9. I regret there is nothing I can add to the information contained in my letters of said dates.
It is difficult I know for you to understand why we cannot furnish more information. However, when it is realized the ship sank in the middle of the night in a very short time and that no records whatsoever were saved, that may explain our difficulty in piecing together a coherent story.
I am enclosing a complete list of survivors with red underscoring at top of list that I hope will clear up the misunderstanding you have in mind regarding the survivors.
Very sincerely,
CHAS. B. MCVAY, III
Captain, U. S. Navy
Mrs. Carmellia Neu
1757 Welton Street
Denver Colorado
