From the Hartford Courant:
“U.S. Navy honors Thomas Conway, Waterbury’s hero priest of World War II
By Jesse Leavenworth
Hartford Courant
Jan 08, 2021 at 5:49 pm
The Rev. Thomas Conway, Waterbury native and heroic chaplain of the ill-fated USS Indianapolis, was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously on Friday for his selfless courage.
Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite presented the medal, the Navy’s second highest award, in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Local veterans and government leaders had been trying for years to obtain the honor for Conway, and Braithwaite apologized for the long delay in recognizing the chaplain’s extraordinary valor and devotion to duty.”
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The inscription:
US Navy
Lt. (Rev.) Thomas Michael Conway
Chaplain
USS Indianapolis (-35)
Born - April 5, 1908, Waterbury, Connecticut
Died - August 2, 1945, Pacific Ocean
On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) was struck by Japanese torpedoes in the Pacific Ocean and sunk. That day, 1,197 men went in the shark infested waters. Only 317 survived.
Father Thomas M. Conway survived the sinking, and, for over 3 days, with total disregard to his own personal safety, swam from group to group, aided the wounded, ministered to the dying, and calmed the frightened with his faith and prayers. On August 2, 1945, Father Thomas M. Conway was the last chaplain to die in combat in WW II. We know that he helped save the lives of 67 men.
Only God knows how many souls he saved.
Dedicated August 2, 2015
Waterbury Veterans Memorial Committee
The memorial is about four feet tall and columnar in shape. It is made of bronze. There is a statue depicting Father Conway holding a soldier, and both are submerged chest-deep in water. The soldier's eyes are closed and Father Conway's are open, looking skyward. His right hand is raised and holding a rosary.