The Wheeling Memory Project: Paul McGinnis

Wheeling Survivor of the USS Indianapolis

Paul Wendle McGinnis, was born December 13, 1925 in Wheeling, West Virginia. In 1943, at the age of 17, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he achieved the rank of Signalman 3rd Class. He was assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis in the South Pacific in 1944. On its final voyage in 1945, the ship was torpedoed and sunk. Of the 1197 men on board, only 317 survived the 5 days lost in the sea. Paul was one of the survivors.

Mr. McGinnis shared his harrowing and touching story of survival with the Ohio County Public Library, April 26. 2011. The Wheeling Memory Project is honored to present Paul’s story, in his own words.

More videos are coming soon in this series. Check back regularly for updates.

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