Forty-Eight Star American Flag

American Flag, Forty-Eight Star, U.S.S. Indianapolis. Early 20th century. Machine stitched and printed linen, with "E.B.P. Hueger" written on edge, apx. 44" x 65", discoloration, torn on top and bottom edges, wear and tears to stars, losses, The U.S.S. Indianapolis, an American cruiser, was the American vessel that transported the fist Atomic bomb from Guam to Tinian where it was loaded onto the Enola Gay. The U.S.S. Indianapolis was required to maintain radio silence throughout the voyage to Tinian and back to Guam. On the return trip to Tinian the Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Of the 1,200 man compliment of the ship, only 316 survived. After evacuating the ship, many of the sailors were victims of a massive shark attack. The story of the U.S.S.. Indianapolis is one of the most heart-wrenching episodes in American Naval history. Artifacts from the U.S.S. Indianapolis are difficult to obtain and a flag that flew on the vessel, even in peace time, is a desired relic of this noble ship.