Michael William Emery was raised in Darien, Connecticut, and currently lives in Concord, Mass. Indianapolis has become Michael’s second home. His biggest passion in life is the story and legacy of the USS Indianapolis CA-35. His first reunion with the Indy survivors was in 2005, where he was interviewed for Sara Vladic’s documentary: USS Indianapolis: The Legacy.

Around the country, Michael speaks to schools, civic and fraternal organizations, military bases, local and national media, and has consulted on a feature film about the USS Indianapolis CA-35. In 2015, Michael was inspired to introduce an annual Honor Watch commemorating the day the USS Indianapolis CA-35 was sunk. Consulting with Brigadier General J. Stewart Goodwin, USAF (Ret), Executive Director of the Indiana War Memorials Commission, the First Annual Honor Watch was launched on July 30, 2015, and this year the Sixth

Annual Honor Watch was held July 30, 2021. The watch calls attention to the 879 boys from the “Indy” who did not come home and honors the brave and courageous 316 “Indy” Survivors. There are presently five Indy Survivors still with us. Michael became a USS Indianapolis Honorary Survivor in 2017 and is the co-author of “Lost At Sea But Not Forgotten.”

In 2019, Michael and Matthew Hallisey wrote a Senate Bill to make July 30th USS Indianapolis Day in the state of Connecticut. Written testimony was given, and verbal testimony was provided to the Connecticut legislature on March 25, 2019. SP 1091 was eventually signed into law by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont on July 9, 2019.

Michael is grateful and honored to be invited to be the keynote speaker to commemorate POW/MIA Day on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at the Indiana War Memorial. Michael will discuss what it is like being a USS Indianapolis CA-35 lost at sea family, and how the tragedy affected his grandparents, father, and him.

Michael’s passion is to share an important chapter in American and military history, that is not in any school history books. As a Gold Star family member, Michael’s message reminds us that freedom is not free. Michael made a pledge to his Uncle Bill that he will do everything in his power to remember him and the 879 Indy final sailing crew lost at sea. William Friend Emery and his lost at sea shipmates paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we have today. To never be forgotten, is to live forever.