Morgan Edward Guenther EM3 was born February 6, 1922 in Bliss, Missouri, and was raised in Granite City, Illinois. Enlisted into the United States Navy the first part of November 1942, Went to boot camp at United States Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois..
After boot camp, he trained at Great Lakes Electrical School. About mid 1943, he was sent to Treasure Island, California, where he boarded the USS Indianapolis CA-35. Aboard the Indianapolis, participated in the following actions: Aleutians, Gilbert Island, Marshall Islands, Tinian, Asiatic Pacific Raids, Marianas, West Caroline, lwo Jima, Okinawa.
During assault on Okinawa on March 1, 1945, the ship was hit by a Japanese suicide plane. They returned to Mare Island, California, for repair. Returned to active duty approximately June 15,1945. The USS Indianapolis was sunk by an enemy submarine July 30, 1945.
Morgan, he liked to be called "Eddy", went down with the ship. He left behind his bride of two weeks, his father and mother, four sisters, six brothers and a six year old niece, whom he loved dearly.
"Eddy" was a loving, caring, fun-loving guy, always happy and loved to tease. He loved music and played guitar, was an expert swimmer and adored children.
Willard H Hammers EM1C, a close friend since boot camp, said they would talk about their dreams when the war was over. His comment was, "My dreams came true, but my little friend Eddy's did not. Hammers wanted Eddy to leave the Indianapolis with him when it was in port for the last time. Eddy said, "No ,when the Indy returns. home from the war, I want to be on her". To this day, 50 years later, tears swell up in our eyes as we remember our "Eddy" and still miss his smiling face.
This was written by sister Hazel M Guenther Cliff in 1955. Hazel is now deceased.
MY MEMORIES OF MORGAN
My brother, Morgan, was very daring. He showed this distinguished feature at a very early age. When he was about 3 1/2 years old, he was in the yard laughing very loudly. He was hitting a stick on the ground. Mother went out to check on him. She dis covered that he was hitting the stick at a snake. You can image how upsetting this was to her.
He was also a big tease. During the war, gasoline was rationed. He was pouring a gallon of gas in our cousin, Lawrence's car tank. Lawrence said to Morgan, "Dooooon't spill a drop". Just to heckle Lawrence, Morgan intentionally started dribbling a few drops of gas on the ground.
Morgan would always jump at the chance to play a joke at any opportunity, so, it was payback time. He was getting ready to go on a date, my boyfriend, Bill and I talked Lawrence into getting into the trunk of our Dad's 1939 Nash, just before Morgan got ready to leave in it. We assured him that he could push the back seat forward and get inside the car. Of course, Morgan soon discovered that he and his date had a "sneaky" uninvited guest in the car. He was furious, so, without letting on that he was aware, he started driving fast and then he would slam on the brakes. He did this routine several times. Needless to say, Lawrence was jostled all over the back end of the car.
I hurriedly went to the bedroom and woke my sister. I didn't want her to miss this conversation between Morgan and Lawrence. Morgan was very angry. He said, "You are nothing but a damned Nazi spy". Lawrence was very upset. He apologized and said "Morgan, I'll never do that again".
Morgan was a real joy to be around. His beautiful violet colored eyes and long black eyelashes was an envy, to us girls. We missed him terribly. Morgan was uneasy about being drafted in the army. He did not want to be a foot soldier. He pleaded with Dad to sign for him to join the navy. Dad did not want that responsibility, but after much persuasion from Morgan, he reluctantly signed for him to join. A decision that he would remorsefully regret.
Morgan's Buddy, Willard, tried desperately to get him to take shore leave when the USS Indianapolis came back to California to be repaired in May, 1945. Morgan's reply was "I want to be on board when the ship sails into Tokyo Bay to sign the peace treaty". Morgan felt that the USS Indianapolis would be the ship chosen because it was President Roosevelt's Ship of State.
The Bible says, "God is with us in all we do". Morgan was a Christian. Before he went into the navy, he would lie on the couch and read the Bible. He told us that he was baptized at Great Lakes Naval Station. Could this be God's destiny for Morgan?
This was written by sister Virginia M Guenther
MEMORIES OF MORGAN
The tragic news that Morgan was Lost At Sea and knowing that we would never see him again, was a very sad time for our family.
The Navy Department never confirmed Morgan's death. The telegram that our parents received stated that Morgan was "missing" and survival was unlikely. Therefore, our mother could not accept closure.
The thought of losing her beloved first born son was unbearable. Not knowing Morgan's fate, mom's unwavering faith kept her believing for many months that Morgan was stranded somewhere, and that one day he would return home to us. The rest of our family knew this would not happen, but morn held on steadfast to an unfulfilled dream.
Each year on February 6th, Morgan's birthday, we all felt the sadness of not having him with us. Our family circle was broken forever. We sensed mom's agony as she suffered in silence at the loss of her beloved son.
My most cherished memory of Morgan was dancing with him to the song 'Josephine" (by the Wayne King Orchestra) at a party my two sisters planned for him before he had to return to duty in June, 1945. I was fourteen years old and not nearly as good a dancer as he was. Little did we realize, this would be our final moments with him.
The song has long been forgotten but it will always remain in my heart, a beautiful memory of a wonderful brother.
This was written by sister, Delorus Guenther Cavins
MEMORIES OF MY BELOVED BROTHER, MORGAN GUENTHER
Because of my dad's ill health, my family moved from Granite City, Illinois to a farm in rural Missouri in April 1945. I was 11 years old.
Morgan came home in May, 1945. He would never let us know ahead of time when he was coming home. He enjoyed just sneaking in the house and surprising all of us.
The younger family members could always count on him having a large accumulation of coins. His delight was to throw both handfuls of change up in the air, and watch us scramble to pick them up.
It was a fun time while Morgan was home. He rode our horses and swam with us in our swimming hole in the creek. He loved the water and was an excellent swimmer.
The sad news about the USS Indianapolis being sunk was sent to Granite City and my two sisters received two telegrams from the Navy Department. They were devastated by the news.
Because it was so uncertain what had happened to Morgan, Hazel and Virginia hesitated to tell our parents at that time. Each day they kept hoping and praying they would hear good news that Morgan was safe. Unfortunately, that good news never
arrived.
The farm was about one hundred miles from Granite City and neither one of our sisters had a car. They didn't have the heart to write a letter to tell the folks about Morgan, they wanted to be with them. When they delivered the heartbreaking news.
however, they were too late.
Around the first of September 1945, the Navy sent another telegram. This one was sent to our home in Missouri. A day that still burns in my memory.
When I got home from school Dad was running toward the barn. He was so crippled from arthritis he could hardly walk. Mom was sitting in the yard crying and my older brother was chopping wood as hard as he could chop. I kept saying "What's wrong" and he kept telling me to "shut up". Finally, mom was able to talk and she said that Morgan's ship was sunk and he was missing.
That day changed our lives forever.
Sister
Joyce Guenther Germanceri
Rank / Rating: EM3-Electrician's Mate Third Class
ABBOTT, George Stanley 
FRONTINO, Vincent Fred 
AMICK, Homer Irwin