My Pop always gives me the best advice. Ever since I can remember his motto has always been "Never Give Up." However, this expression is used so excessively that I never really took it seriously until a few weeks ago.

When the book In Harm's Way by Doug Stanton came out I began to wonder about my Pop's experience on the USS Indianapolis and why he coined the phrase "Never Gives Up." My Pop, Richard Stephens, began unloading a series of amazing stories. I often wonder how his experiences managed to not have a devastating effect on the rest of his life.

The second time my pop sets sail on the USS Indianapolis the ship headed for Tinian Island. The ship was to deliver a top secret crate to the island. On board were 1,197 men for this crucial assignment.

"Since I was one of the youngest, I got the worst of everything. I got the worst duties to the worst bunk," described Pop. " I would have to go around the top deck and mop up the vomit from the seasick men. Then dump the buckets of vomit overboard." The thought of having sucj a disgusting job made my stomach tie in knots. Pop also recalled the sleeping quarters to be dark and hot. Unfortunately these experiences are mild compared to what the crew would soon face.

After delivering the secret cargo (later learning it was the Atmoic bomb dropped on Hiroshima) they departed for Leyte. Shortly after midnight the ship was hit twice by torpedoes. The ship sank in a remarkable twelve minutes and left approximately 800 men floating in the Pacific Ocean.

Over the next several days these men endured many hardships. Oil spilled in a thick coat over the ocean made it very painful for the wounded. The survivors of the sinking had no food or water. Also, over the next five days' shark attacks became a regular occurrence. My pop recalls seeing sharks swimming under his feet, men being eaten alive by sharks, and hearing men scream at night and day from being attacked.

Knowing my pop made it through all of this turmoil is very awe-inspiring. The phrase, "Never Give Up," means more to me now than any other advice my pop has given me.