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thedrifter
12-21-08, 07:41 AM
DEPOT SWIMMING FACILITY NAMED FOR WWII HERO

By Lance Cpl. Rebecca A. Lamont
Chevron staff

Marine Corps Recruit Depot’s swimming facility is named Parke Hall in remembrance of a Marine aboard the USS Indianapolis during the last campaign of World War II July 30, 1945.

According to www.fraindy.org, Capt. Edward L. Parke, commanding officer of the Marine detachment was one of 39 Marines aboard the Indianapolis while it sailed from Guam to the Philippines.

It was common since the Revolutionary War for armed Marines to occupy naval ships, in case it was necessary to board an enemy’s vessel. Marines were the first ashore, the first to fight and often the first to die. Marines also operated the ship’s brig and much of the ship’s weapon systems.

When the Indianapolis was struck by a torpedo from the Japanese submarine I-58, the ship capsized and sank within 12 minutes, according to www.history.navy.mil. During this time, there was an underwater explosion that was heard and felt by everyone.

According to, ‘‘All the Drowned Sailors,” by Raymond B. Lech, the constant breaking of waves over the men’s heads, ingestion of salt water and fuel oil, and the men absorbing the heat from the tropical sun all contributed to the deaths of many sailors and Marines.

As the water cleared, the men were able to look beneath them and see sharks. This did not help the inevitable delirium caused by lack of food, fresh water, and exposure to the elements, according to Lech.

Parke was the leader of a group of 200 men, one of the largest groups in the water. According to Lech, Parke was sixfeet, 200 pounds, strong and athletic, had strong leadership abilities. He gave his life jacket to a man and swam unsupported until he found another life preserver.

According to Lech, Parke was strict with his group and kept the situation within control. His main objective was to keep everyone together. Parke found a cork life ring with 100 feet of attached line. He used this to prevent drifting by having his men grab a piece of it. This formed a long line of men and naturally began to curve, which was an excellent defense against potential shark attacks.

Parke gathered the wounded in the middle and tied the strings on their jackets to the life rings to minimized confusion. If a man drifted off the line, Parke swam to the man and brought him back to the group.

According to, ‘‘Abandon Ship,” by Richard F. Newcomb, Parke worked to take care of his group and keep them together until he collapsed due to extreme exhaustion and quietly sank.

On Aug. 8, 1945, 316 men were rescued out of a crew of 1,199. Only nine of the survivors were Marines, according to www.history.navy.mil.

Parke was awarded posthumously the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his many acts of courage and selflessness. Parke Hall’s swimming facility honors Parke for his actions, including saving the lives of many who would have otherwise died, and for gallantly giving his life for his country.

Ellie