Ron Duffy Art

Click on the link below (or copy it to your web browser) to listen to the hour long public radio version of “The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Atomic Bomb: The Price Paid for Liberty” on the Public Radio Exchange website:

https://exchange.prx.org/pieces/572416-the-sinking-of-the-uss-indianapolis-and-the-atomic

Photos courtesy of Sara Vladic, co-author of Indianapolis; FB/IG @Surfinsara

Click here to view photo gallery for the USS Indianapolis podcast: 

Gallery of USS Indianapolis photos


Ron Duffy -- 2024 Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Individuals Grant Recipient
Grant Project: Create an hour long Podcast / Public Radio Documentary titled:  "The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Atomic Bomb: The Price Paid for Liberty"

Producer Ron Duffy is a fiscal year 2024 recipient of a creative individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.  This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.


                                                

Comments from Public Radio Listeners

(When Asked What They Found Meaningful About the Program)

“The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Atomic Bomb: The Price Paid for Liberty”

“This was so touching, meaningful and impactful. I’m sharing it with my PTSD Veterans Recovery group.”

“I appreciated hearing the stories of the survivors and the stories of the service men who rescued them. I had heard about the Indianapolis before but had not heard information about the rescuers -- how young they were and how much they risked to save as many of the men in the water as they could. It was incredibly moving.”

“The stories of the soldiers’ time in the water, the essential hope, prayers, and faith that kept some from losing their minds and kept them alive in dangerous and changing conditions for so long. The story of one other soldier involved in rescue, who was called off the task, but continued to have mercy and save a lot of lives. The demonstration that one person can make a tremendous difference.”

“It was amazing that he spoke to survivors! Wow!”

“The brutal sacrifices made by duty conscious American servicemen and how the fog of war can be so unfair.”

“I enjoyed all of the personal interviews.”

“The history that isn’t talked about much anymore.”

“Just listened to this.....what a great story!  I need to listen again!”

“That was a really powerful account of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis - something I knew absolutely nothing about.  Reminded me of a Ken Burns documentary with all the horrible and often gruesome details of things that sometimes get overlooked.  You did a great job putting it together adding sound effects and music and it was really nice  to hear those interviews!”

“Kudos to Jack Doepke and Ron Duffy for what I know was hard work.  History and I salute you.”

“Enjoyed the show on Memorial Day.  My late father George was stationed back then during the war in Australia, providing important technical support for the Pacific theatre. Good story and reporting about a disaster I knew nothing about. Liked your narration and sound additions. Glad the project had MSAB funding!”

“Kudos to you. Your expanded documentary is of the highest quality. That success or failure and the lives of many hung in the balance of sheer fortune is demonstrated over and over.  I'm sorry for the many lives lost in the sinking of the USS Indianapolis.  The soldiers' voices and sound effects really put the listener there on the ship and in the Pacific Ocean with them.  Wow. A powerful and moving piece that sticks with one. Thank you for your hard work on this project.”

“I enjoyed the mixture of narration, testimony from survivors, and the added background and context provided by the book author.”

“We enjoyed your thoughtful and well researched presentation, thank you.”

“This is really excellent. I have been so impressed with the quality of the sound and recording.”

“A lot of information that would be very difficult to access elsewhere, and the human aspects of the story.”

“This is a vital connection to history that would have been lost without this work. Thank you!”

“I knew nothing about this before. The work that our service people have done is priceless.”

“Excellent work in the pursuit of appreciation of what our greatest generation did for future generations.”

“Thank you for all of your hard work on this program. It’s so very important that these stories are told.”

“Good job!” 

“Wonderful presentation!”

“Very interesting and presented info not accessible anywhere else.”

“I liked the in-person contacts and interviews.”

“Loved the audio clips from the survivors.  And just learning about this incredible story.”

Comments below were taken from an earlier version of this documentary production, titled “The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis: Tragedy at Sea,” which was based on 3 survivors interviews. The earlier version did not include the 4th survivor interview (Edgar Harrell) nor the book author interview with Sara Vladic, co-author of “Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U. S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man.”

"Both AFN Radio's operations manager-a retired Navy vet who is very familiar with the Indianapolis' history —and I listened to the program.  Once again we were moved by the story you wove and much impressed with the quality of your documentary productions.  I am in awe of your ability to translate difficult military subjects into riveting and compelling stories.  Despite the gravity of the subject matter, somehow the overall effect ends up being uplifting. I am honored that you have made this program available for our audience.”  (Manny Levy, Chief, Radio Division, Armed Forces Network, 23755 Z Street, Riverside, CA 92518, (951) 413 2262)   

“WFYI was obviously interested in the USS Indianapolis tragedy, as it is in a way a local story, but any audience will find that the story and documentary are both riveting and frightening at the same time.  In the end though, it is the stories of human kindness and the will to survive that stay with you.  The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis: Tragedy at Sea is well worth adding to any schedule.” (Richard Miles, VP Audio Services, WFYI FM, 1401 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46202)