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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Edgar 1
Harrell. 2
WHEREAS, Edgar Harrell was born on October 10, 1924, in Trigg County, 3
Kentucky to the late Alvin H. and Myra Belle Atwood Harrell; and 4
WHEREAS, Edgar Harrell was a highly decorated World War II Marine, who 5
fought in the Pacific theater aboard the USS Indianapolis and was the last surviving 6
Marine of her sinking, the greatest naval catastrophe at sea in the history of the Navy; and 7
WHEREAS, in 1944, Edgar Harrell joined the crew of the USS Indianapolis as a 8
sea-going Marine, often considered the best of the best. During his time aboard the ship, 9
he was responsible for the security of the enriched uranium destined for the atomic bomb, 10
"Little Boy," during the USS Indianapolis's top secret transport mission from San 11
Francisco to the Tinian Naval Base on July 16, 1945; and 12
WHEREAS, after leaving the Tinian Island on July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis 13
was struck by two torpedoes fired from a Japanese submarine, causing explosions and 14
massive damage which quickly and completely sunk the ship within 12 minutes of the 15
initial attack; and 16
WHEREAS, Edgar Harrell was one of 316 crew members who survived the attack, 17
waiting for rescue in shark-infested waters, suffering from exposure, dehydration, 18
hypothermia, and other horrors for four long days. During and after this time, he was 19
considered a hero amongst his shipmates; and 20
WHEREAS, Edgar Harrell was a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal and 21
received an honorary promotion to the rank of sergeant in 2018. He chronicled his 22
experience during the war in a book he co-authored with his son, David, titled Out of the 23
Depths: An Unforgettable WWII Story of Survival, Courage, and the Sinking of the USS 24
Indianapolis; and 25
WHEREAS, Edgar Harrell was a godly man and held a deep love for Christ and a 26
longing for His return. He was a retired distributor with Pella Window Company and was 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1491
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a member of Calvary Bible Church; and 1
WHEREAS, at the age of 96, Edgar Harrell departed this earthly life and entered 2
into the kingdom of Heaven on May 8, 2021, leaving his family, friends, and all those 3
whose lives he touched in solemn mourning; and 4
WHEREAS, Edgar Harrell was preceded in death by his wife, Ola Mae Harrell, 5
daughter, Cathey Tierney, four brothers, and two sisters. He is survived by his son, Dr. 6
David (Nancy) Harrell; son-in-law, Dr. Joe (Alice) Tierney; brothers, Bob (Nancy) 7
Harrell and Bill (Norma) Harrell; grandchildren, Joseph (Dana) Harrell, Jana (Andrew) 8
Zulewski, Joshua (Lara) Harrell, Joseph (Sarah) Tierney, Colin Tierney, Ben Tierney, 9
Ross Tierney, and Celeste Tierney; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of other family, 10
friends, and loved ones who dearly miss his presence in their lives; 11
NOW, THEREFORE, 12
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 13
Kentucky: 14
Section 1. The members of the Senate do hereby express their most profound 15
sorrow upon the passing of Edgar Harrell, and extend heartfelt condolences to his family, 16
friends, and community. 17
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 18
memory of Edgar Harrell. 19
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 20
Resolution to Senator Jason Howell for delivery to the family. 21