Roof, Charles Walter
Pg 229-230

Detroit Mich.
Sept 2. 1945

314-70-80

Dear Capt McVay:
My son Charles Walter Roof S2/c was a member of the crew of the Cruiser Indianapolis, and has been reported as missing. as yet we have had no details as to be thinking of the Ship and that is the reason I am writing to you.
Are there islands in that location where the boys who have not been reported as survivors could have reached and may yet be picked up by our Ships. And what possibilitys did the crew have in geting off the ship?
If you can tell me I would like to know what was the nature of the sinking and the cause of the sinking.
Capt McVay I know you did not know my Son personally but he said he was a board the proudest Ship afloat and he loved the Navy and I would appreciate any information you can give me pretaining to the survivors or the possibility of my Son and his buddies who have not been reported saved as yet, being rescued and how long it would take for us to be notified by the Navy Dept.
We are still hoping and Praying and anxiously awaiting your reply.
I remain

Mr Charles W Roof Sr
8248 Manor Avenue Detroit 4 Mich

Pers-8249-LK

ROOF, Charles Walter, S2c, 314 70 80, USNR

October 29, 1945

My dear Mr. Roof,

Your letter of September 2nd concerning your son, Charles Walter Roof, Seaman second class, United States Naval Reserve, has just reached me here in the Bureau of Naval Personnel where I have been on temporary duty since my return from Guam the middle of last month.

I regret that I can add nothing to my letter of September 27th, which I trust reached you after your letter to me was written.

It is difficult I know for you to understand why we can not furnish more information. However, when it is realized that 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.

May I again express my heartfelt sympathy.

Very sincerely,

CHAS. B. MCVAY, III
Captain, U. S. Navy

Mr. Charles W. Roof, Sr.
8248 Manor Avenue
Detroit 4, Michigan