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From: Jim Belcher, Jr.
Date: 10/27/2005
Time: 1:42:38 PM
Remote Name: 141.152.79.144
My understanding is "just another letter" in his file. I don't believe there is a formal vehicle in the Uniform Code of Military Justice that allows for the erasing of a court martial conviction. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Aside from Navy Secretary England and Cmdr Toto (USS Indianapolis submarine commander) I have not seen any support by past or current US Navy officials in support of the crew (LAS & survivors) in their effort to truly erase the court martial. I have seen a lot of politicing and posturing, and heard a lot of rambling PC rhetoric. Funny thing is, anybody who examines the facts of the event realizes quickly that the Navy escaped primary responsibility, and it's comical when you listen to Navy officals today, too young to have direct knowledge of a connection to the event, defend the Navy of 1945 based on the same information we have in front of us. Sickening would be a better word. I am a Navy brat, former USAF, and son of a survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Oh, and I'm 1/2 Japanese. The Japanese showed more honor and respect in testimony (read Capt. Hashimoto's court martial testimony and letters of support for the exoneration of Capt. McVay) than our own Navy brass, and you can clearly see our Navy should still be ashamed. This matter is still open as far as survivors and family members are concerned. Those Lost At Sea crewmans' families need to hear it from the Navy. They DESERVE to hear it from honorable men in uniform...where are they?