USS Indianapolis CA-35
Lost At Sea

Name: Vincent Udell ANDERSON
Rank / Rating: BM1-Boatswain's Mate First Class
Service #: 375 91 84
DOB: 1914
From: Santa Cruz, California
Parents: Willy and Annie Anderson
Went Aboard: Dec 31, 1938
Age When Ship Went Down: 31
Spouse: Betty Jane Anderson
Children: Karen Cody
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Daughter Karen Cody
Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025

My dad was the oldest of eight children, born to Willy and Annie Anderson. He grew up in Northern California, leaving home at an early age to work and help the family by sending home pay checks. At the age of 32, he had been in the Navy about eight years prior to the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. He had been stationed on the "Indy" a good part of that time. He was not on board when the kamikaze attacked due to a medical leave for rheumatic fever. My dad met and married my mother in that pressing war time manner, so typical of the times.

I won't knock that because I owe my existence to it. My mother found out she was pregnant with me the same day she received "the telegram" from the Navy telling her he had been lost at sea. He never knew about me but mom made sure I always knew about him. He has always been my hero! I only found out about the survivors reunions after the memorial had been dedicated but have not missed a reunion since my first one. I found out he was in the fourth division on the ship, loved to play cards, had nick names of "Big Andy" and "Elbows". I met a former shipmate, Edward Martin, who had been his Chief, and he told me a lot about my dad. It has really meant a lot to me to get to meet several of the men that were in his division and remembered him. It was truly a wonderful miracle that there were any survivors and I will always treasure the shipmates I have been able to meet.