April
17

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — Edgar Harrell, former Marine and USS Indianapolis survivor, spoke at College of the Ozarks on March 30, 2015, in the Jones Auditorium.

On July 16, 1945, Harrell and the crew of the USS Indianapolis transported Little Boy and Fat Man, two code names for the atomic bombs dropped upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on August 6 and 9, 1965, respectively.

After delivering the bombs to Tinian, the USS Indianapolis headed to the Philippines in preparation for the main invasion of Japan, but was sunk by two Japanese torpedoes in route. Among the 1,197 seamen on the ship, only 317 survived over the next four and one-half days.

“Mr. Harrell’s story was absolutely incredible,” said C of O student Paul Renyer. “His passion for the story sent a strong message about comradery, survival, and hope. He inspired an entire auditorium of young Americans in under a single hour.”

Harrell spoke to the student body about courage and faith among certain death. The 900 or so troops that survived the sinking of the ship fought thirst, hunger, shark attacks, and more, all while remaining afloat.

“There is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole, there were no atheists out there, everyone prayed,” said Harrell. “It’s easier to die than it is to live, believe me!”

About Edgar Harrell

Aside from surviving the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and serving the country, Harrell owned and operated the Pella Window Company, Inc., Rock Island, Illinois, for thirty-five years until retiring in 1985. He has served on the board of trustees of the Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, Illinois, for five years, where he was also a popular Bible teacher and lay minister. He currently resides in Clarksville, Tennessee, with his wife Ola. Harrell now speaks around the United States sharing his experience at sea.

For more information, please call the public relations office at (417) 690-2212.

About College of the Ozarks
College of the Ozarks is a Christian, liberal arts college located on a 1,000-acre campus in Point Lookout, Mo. Christian values, hard work and financial responsibility comprise the fundamental building blocks of the “Hard Work U.” experience. The college earns numerous accolades yearly, including being named the #1 Best Value College in the Midwest for 2015 by “U.S. News & World Report.” To achieve its vision, College of the Ozarks pursues academic, vocational, Christian, patriotic and cultural goals. These goals are mirrored in School of the Ozarks, begun in fall 2012 for high school students, and the S. Truett Cathy Lower School, opened in fall 2014 to K-sixth grade students. Seventh and eighth grades will be added in fall 2015, completing the K-12 model. For information, call the public relations office at (417) 690-2212 or visit www.cofo.edu. Follow College of the Ozarks at www.facebook.com/collegeoftheozarks or on Twitter @CofOHardWorkU

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