It was on July 29, 1945, when Cpl. Edgar Harrell was last promoted to Sgt. of Marines on board the USS Indianapolis. He could have never known that just 24 hours later his ship would be sunk by a Japanese submarine. The loss of the Indianapolis left Sgt. Harrell and his shipmates alone on the open ocean for four days trying to survive. His survival lead to eight months of hospitals and medical complications during his recovery. As a result of the sinking, all the records went to the bottom of the sea along with the ship. Harrell would later be discharged in February, 1946 as a Corporal.
Marines have a creed that says “Marines Take Care of their Own” and their motto, Semper Fidelis “Always Faithful”. Well almost 73 years to the day the Marines have made good on that order when the promotion was recognized. By order of the Secretary of the Defense, Secretary of the Navy, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the promotion was recognized and made permanent.
Congratulation Sergeant of Marines Edgar Harrell.
