Name: Darwin Glen KRUSE
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
Service #: 984 49 05
DOB: Nov 08, 1926
From: Wellsburg, Iowa
Parents:
Went Aboard: May 12, 1945
Age When Ship Went Down: 18 years, 8 months, 22 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Admin
Date Posted:

Seaman Second Class Darwin Kruse was born November 8, 1926, at Wellsburg, Iowa. He enlisted in the US Navy on February 16, 1945, at age 18.

After completing boot camp at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois, he took further training at Shoemaker, California. On July 16, 1945*, he boarded USS Indianapolis at Mare Island, California. Darwin’s parents conversed with a fellow crew member from Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Seaman First Class Edward J. Brown) and were able to piece together meager bits of information concluding that Darwin was killed instantly. He had just been relieved from guard duty and was probably in his quarters which was blown off by the blast. [* Official US Navy records show Darwin first went aboard Indianapolis on May 12, 1945. Edited by Admin]