Harold Bray, Benicia resident and survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. (File photo)

Harold Bray, a Benicia resident and World War II veteran who was one of more than 300 people to survive the sinking of a naval cruiser, will be serving as the grand marshal at this year’s 3rd of July Torchlight Parade.

Bray enlisted in the Navy in 1944 at the age of 17. He was later assigned to the USS Indianapolis as it was being repaired at Mare Island. In 1945, the Indianapolis left to deliver a briefcase to Tinian Island– which, unbeknownst to the passengers until later, held pieces of the Little Boy, the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. As the ship was returning home, it was struck by a missile from a Japanese submarine. Out of 1,195 sailors aboard the ship, approximately 900 made it to the water where they had to deal with dehydration, sustained injuries and even shark attacks, until this number dwindled down to 316. The sailors were stranded for five days until they were rescued by a pilot on a bomber mission.

Bray remained in the Navy until 1946 when he was honorably discharged. He initially lived in Washington State, until he moved to Benicia on New Year’s Day, 1948. He has lived here ever since, having worked in the Arsenal and later at the Benicia Police Department until retiring in 1982. Bray is one of 14 living survivors of the USS Indianapolis sinking, and also the youngest. He is chairman of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization, which was founded in 1960 to meet in the city of Indianapolis every year in July to honor the sailors and the ship.

Bray will be among several local officials and organizations represented in the Torchlight Parade, which dates back to more than a century. Also being represented in vehicles or floats are Mayor Elizabeth Patterson and the City Councilmembers, Rep. Mike Thompson, Assemblymember Tim Grayson, Supervisor Monica Brown, the Benicia Fire Department, Carquinez Village, the League of Women Voters Benicia, Pizza Pirate, a tribute to K-9 law enforcement, Featherer Pet, Benicia Little League, Benicia Old Town Theatre Group, Benicia Jazzercise, the James Lemos Swim Center, St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School’s cheer team, North Bay Gymnastics and more.

The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. along First Street. For more information, go to BeniciaMainStreet.org.

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