U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS MEMORIAL, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

SEC. 1185. U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS MEMORIAL, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA. (a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings: (1) On July 30, 1945, during the closing days of World War II, the U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) was sunk as a result of a torpedo attack on that snip. (2) The memorial to the U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) to be located on the east bank of the Indianapolis water canal in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, will honor the personal sacrifice of the 1,197 servicemen who were aboard the U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) on that day, 881 of whom died as one of the greatest single combat losses suffered by the United States Navy in World War II. (3) The memorial will pay fitting tribute to that gallant ship and her final crew and will forever commemorate the place of the U.S.S. Indianapolis in United States Navy history as the last major ship lost in World War II. (4) The memorial to the U.S.S. Indianapolis symbolizes the devoted service of the United States Navy and Marine Corps personnel, particularly those who lost their lives at sea in the Pacific Theater during World War II, whose dedication and sacrifice in the cause of liberty and freedom were instrumental in the triumph of the United States and its allies in that war. (5) The citizens of the United States have a continuing obligation to educate future generations about the military and other historic endeavors of the United States. (b) Recognition as a National Memorial.—The memorial to the U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) in Indianapolis, Indiana, is hereby recognized as the national memorial to the U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) and to the final crew of that historic warship.