Name: Everett Raymond SANDERS
Rank / Rating: MOMM1-Motor Machinist's Mate First Class
Service #: 628 81 42
DOB: May 13, 1921
From: Wichita, Kansas
Parents: Claude R. and Ella Sanders
Went Aboard: Oct 28, 1942
Age When Ship Went Down: 24 years, 2 months, 17 days
Spouse: Dorothy Miller Sanders
Children: Raymond Lee Sanders
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Patricia Stephens (Admin)
Date Posted: 2025

Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Sanders was born on May 13, 1921. He was from Wichita, Kansas. The 1925 KS state census shows Everette was 4 years old. The 1940 census shows Everette living in the home of his parents, Claude R. and Ella Sanders. He was 18 years old, born in Oklahoma, and a senior in high school. He was the oldest of seven children - Claude, Jr., Elzena Ruth, Herbert R., Sidney L., Sylvia and Goldie. His siblings were all born in Kansas. He graduated from North high school in 1941 where he was a member of the tumbling team for three years. Everett married Dorothy Miller in about 1943. Dorothy gave birth to a baby boy, Raymond Lee Sanders, on Oct 2, 1944.

He enlisted in US Navy on Aug 20, 1942 at Kansas City, MO., and went straight to basic training at San Diego on Aug 23, 1942. Upon completion, Everette was enrolled in the USNR V-2 Aviation Branch program. His desire to enter this program was most likely related to his work at Boeing prior to enlistment. He was transferred to the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton, WA., and was received on Sept 25, 1942. From there he was transferred on Oct 13, 1942 for duty on board USS Indianapolis CA-35. Everette went aboard Indianapolis as a AS (Apprentice Seaman) on Oct 28, 1942 while the ship was at Kodiak, Alaska. On Dec 1, 1942 his rate advanced to S2c (Seaman 2nd class), V-2, USNR. On March 1, 1943, Everette was advanced in rate to F2c (Fireman 2nd class). He was still noted in the V-2 program. He advanced further on June 1, 1943 to F1c. He was now rated and a 3rd class petty officer. Everett had to "strike" to accomplish this rate. This involved on-the-job training, studying written material, successfully completing oral and written exams and approval for advancement by an Examining Board consisting of three officers. Final approval would be received from the Commanding Officer. 1944 was a great year for Everette. His hard work and his service paid off. His rate advanced to MoMM3c (Motor Machinist's Mate 3rd class), V-2, USNR, on Jan 1, 1944. On Aug 1, 1944, he advanced to MoMM2c. It is apparent Everette was very intelligent and highly skilled. He reached the top rate and rating on May 1, 1945 when he was advanced to MoMM1c. Even though he continued to be listed in the deck logs as being in the V-2 aviation program, along the way he may have decided that the engine room of the ship is where he wanted to be. It is possible the navy decided for him based upon the needs of the ship. He would serve as a MoMM1c for less than 3 months. He was lost at sea on July 30, 1945 when Indianapolis was sunk by torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-58. He was only four days away from his 24th birthday. Everett was awarded 1 silver star (equal to 5 bronze stars) and 3 bronze star devices to attach to the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon representing the eight battle stars Indianapolis was awarded while he was on board. His name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously. Everett, you are not forgotten. Note: The July 1, 1945 Indianapolis muster roll notes Everette first came aboard on Oct 28, 1943. This is a typographical error. All of the earlier records show the correct date of Oct 28, 1942.