Source: Greenwood Library Scrapbook Collection

MARSHFIELD NEWS HERALD 12/7/1945

MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD FOR SEAMAN
RITES ARE FOR NEAL F. BRAUN, VICTIM OF INDIANAPOLIS SINKING

Greenwood--Memorial services for Neal F. Braun, 18, seaman, second class, U.S. Navy, who was lost in the sinking of the cruiser, U.S.S. Indianapolis, in July, were held at Zion Reformed Church Sunday morning. The Rev. B. M. Fresenborg officiated at the rites, during which Mrs. Daniel Olson, Miss Martha Horn, and Miss Louis Keiner, accompanied by Mrs. Adolph Meyer, sang Sometime we'll Understand: and Good Nigh and Good Morning.

The seaman is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Braun three sisters, Catherine of Eau Claire and Verna Mae and Jean, both at home and his maternal grandfather, Sam Smith, Milwaukee.

Neal Frederick Braun was born July 16, 1927, in the Town of Reseburg, Clark County. He was confirmed at Zion Reformed Church in 1942 and was graduated from Greenwood High School in 1945.

On Jan. 23, 1945 he enlisted in the Navy and was called into service Feb. 13. Having completed his basic Navy training at Great Lakes, Ill., he was assigned to the cruiser, Indianapolis, and shipped out for Guam on his 18th birthday, July 16.

On the return trip from Guam to Leyte the Indianapolis was sunk. She was approximately 450 miles from Leyte after having delivered an atomic bomb when two heavy underwater explosions occurred on the starboard side forward. She filled rapidly with water through the holes caused by the explosion and sank within 15 minutes.

Seaman Braun was reported missing in a message received by his parents Oct. 13, and his death recently was confirmed by the Navy Department.