Photo of the US Cruiser USS Indianapolis, 1939. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images) Edgar Harrell, the last surviving Marine of the USS Indianapolis, died Saturday, according to an organization dedicated to preserving the ship’s legacy."Ed was beloved among the group, and traveled the world sharing the story of his ship and shipmates," the organization posted on Facebook. "He joined the crew as a sea-going marine in 1944, meaning he was one of the best of the best."The group also said the 96-year-old helped guard various components of the atomic bomb and was hailed as a hero among his shipmates.
Harrell’s death came days after James Smith, another survivor, who died on May 5.The ship, with 1,195 personnel aboard, delivered enriched uranium.