Name: Charles Keith NEAL
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
Service #: 294 00 98
DOB: Dec 03, 1927
From: Indianapolis, IN
Parents: Alvin Ora Neal (1897-1979) and Edith Ellen Adams Neal (1895-1977)
Went Aboard: May 12, 1945
Age When Ship Went Down: 17 years, 7 months, 27 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Marilyn Northcutt Henry, Nancy Bolt, niece and Burl Neal, Nephew
Date Posted:

Charles Keith Neal, known to his family as Keith, was born December 3, 1927 to Alvin and Edith Neal in Hancock County, Indiana. His childhood and early teen years were spent in Indianapolis, Indiana. Charles had four older brothers and four younger brothers, listed below with dates of death in parentheses: Ralph Warren Neal (2015) Glenn Bruce Neal (2009) Foster Eugene Neal (2017) George Kenneth Neal (2013) Charles Keith Neal (1945) Estel Burl Neal (1972) William Harvey Neal (died at age 1) Ivan Ross Neal (died at age 2) Edgar David “Ed” Neal (2018)

Keith registered for the draft on November 10, 1943 (see Draft Registration Card below) and entered the Merchant Marines at age 16, receiving an Honorable Service Button and a Victory Medal upon his discharge after 6 months of service. At age 17, he persuaded his father to sign documents allowing him to enlist in the Navy. Keith enlisted on February 12, 1945. His best friend, Billy Joe S., was with him on Monument Circle when he was sworn into the US Navy. Billy Joe recalled that Keith was “the nicest boy you could ever meet” and that they enjoyed bowling and hunting together. Keith had been a Messman in the Merchant Marines and confided, in a letter to his brother Ralph, that he hoped to be trained as a Baker, but had been assigned Sea Duty instead. Keith was sent to the USNTC at Great Lakes, IL for basic training and then to the United States Naval Training and Distribution Center in Shoemaker, CA. According to USS Indianapolis CA 35 Muster Roll for the quarter ending 7/1/45, Keith boarded USS Indianapolis on May 12, 1945, with the rate of Seaman 2nd Class. He would have turned 18 on December 3, 1945. He was on board USS Indianapolis only 79 days before the ship was torpedoed and sunk on July 30, 1945. Parents of the tragic sinking were notified by two separate telegrams or letters of the sinking of USS Indianapolis. The first communication reported their son “Missing in Action”. The second communication verified their son had “No Chance of Survival: body unrecoverable, deepest regrets”. The Indianapolis News, on Monday, October 1, 1945, printed an article on page 3, below, with the headline of “Five Missing Indianapolis Men Declared Dead”. It was reported that “One served aboard USS Indianapolis - Charles Keith Neal. This article also reported on the status of Charles Keith’s brothers: Ralph Neal - 25, on way home from Philippines duty Glen Neal - 23, on way home from Washington state Cpl Foster Neal - at home after service in European Theater Pvt Kenneth Neal - wounded in action in the Philippines, now in hospital in Danville, KY Younger brothers, Burl, age 16, and Edgar, age 10, at home Keith was listed as “Lost at Sea”. At a later date, his brother Edgar discovered writings and documents stating that his body was located on August 6, 1945 by USS Cecil J. Doyle (body number 4 of 12 found that day) and was buried at sea with services conducted by the Commanding Officer of that ship. The Neal family, living in Indianapolis, attended many of the Survivors’ Reunions to honor the sacrifice of Charles Keith Neal. At one banquet, 20 family members attended. Burl Neal, nephew, honored his uncle by participating in VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA presentation at the July, 2018 reunion by reading two letters written by Charles Keith to his brother Ralph. View from Time Stamp 18:28 - 19:52. The youngest of the nine brothers, Edgar David “Ed” Neal, passed away in 2018 - the last brother of Charles Keith. A flag was flown over USS Indianapolis Memorial to honor Charles Keith and delivered to the family during Ed’s funeral. Nancy Bolt, niece and Edgar served as the family members who gathered the family to honor Charles Keith Neal. Father, Mother, and all nine boys are together. May they rest in peace. Admin Note: Burial at Sea Charles was one of the ten crew members picked up and identified by USS Cecil J. Doyle. He was located at 1003 hours at 11 degrees 28 minutes North Latitude and 132 degrees 36 minuets East Longitude on Monday August 6, 1945. Charles was "committed to the deep" in the official Burial at Sea Ceremony performed by the Commanding Officer on August 7, 1945, at 11 degrees 13 minutes North Latitude and 132 degrees 24 minutes East Longitude.