The USS Indianapolis was a United States Navy cruiser that was sunk by a Japanese submarine in July 1945 during World War II. After delivering components for the atomic bomb to Tinian, the ship was torpedoed in the Philippine Sea, resulting in the loss of nearly 900 crew members. Survivors faced dire conditions in the water, including exposure, dehydration, and shark attacks. Rescue efforts were delayed, and only 316 crew members were eventually saved. The disaster highlighted issues in naval communication and led to significant changes in naval operations and safety protocols.