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Many replied to the post thanking Howison for his service and hailed him a \"true American hero.\"

The USS Indianapolis, which was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine after delivering atomic bomb components, sank in 12 minutes.

\"PHOTO:
U.S. Navy via Getty Images
PHOTO: The USS Indianapolis, pictured in the 1940s, was a Navy cruiser active in the Pacific theater during World War II.
>

To this day, the tragedy that left 880 sailors and Marines dead is known as one of the worst disasters in U.S. Naval history. Only 316 survived.

There are now just 10 living survivors.

Those who survived from the Indianapolis have shared harrowing stories about the days they spent in the water after the ship sank.

Former Marine Cpl. Edgar Harrell told the Indianapolis Star that many of the survivors were hurt, badly dehydrated and that some were killed by sharks.

\"PHOTO:
Naval Historical Center via AP
PHOTO: Some USS Indianapolis survivors are shown on Guam in August 1945. The survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945, drifted aimlessly for nearly five days, battling thirst, exposure and ravenous sharks.
>

The story of the USS Indianapolis has inspired books and movies, including a speech from the 1975 film, \"Jaws.\"

Quint, played by Robert Shaw, recalls the frightening based-on true details of the speed at which the ship sank and the fight for their lives against sharks in the open water.

\"700 men went into the water, vessel went down in 12 minutes. Didn't see the first shark for about half an hour,\" Quint says. \"Our bomb mission had been so secret, no distress signal had been sent.\"

The remains of the Indianapolis was found resting on the floor of the North Pacific Ocean in August 2017.

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