MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) – It’s a time-honored tradition at Marinette Marine- a keel-laying ceremony to mark the building of a new littoral combat ship.
“We’re bringing another ship to life,” said Joe Noth, Vice President of Littoral Ship Systems.
A steel plate will be placed in the hull of the ship known as LCS 17; it’s the Future U.S.S. Indianapolis.
For veteran Richard Thelen, the ceremony was more than bringing a ship to life.
“To me you can’t comprehend the honor I feel to represent everybody on that ship,” Thelen said.
Thelen was on the first U.S.S. Indianapolis which operated during World War II throughout the Pacific Ocean escorting convoys and attacking enemy submarines.
It was hit by a Japanese torpedo on July 30, 1945 and ultimately sunk.
Only 317 of the 1,196 sailors on the ship survived.
“I should have died too, but I got through it and to this day I don’t know how I am alive, but I made it,” Thelen said.
Thelen is one of 23 living survivors of the original U.S.S. Indianapolis.
He says while being here is emotional, he is extremely honored, “The reason I’m alive today is to keep the story of the Indianapolis alive.”
Richard’s son, Dave Thelen, says his dad rarely talks about his time on the ship.
“It’s honor,” Dave said. “I’m almost in tears because of what he did and he never wants to be called a hero, but he is in my eyes.”
Earl Henry’s dad was also on the original USS Indianapolis. His dad died when the ship went down.
“I hope kids, and all citizens will remember the story of my father’s U.S.S. Indianapolis and also think of that name, the USS Indianapolis, as always being special,” Henry said.
The LCS-17 is expected to hit the water next summer.
