#44: Charles B. McVay
Commander of the USS Indianapolis during World War II, Charles B. McVay, endured a tragic ordeal that showcased the profound consequences of scapegoating in times of crisis. In 1945, his ship delivered components for the atomic bomb that would be dropped on Hiroshima. Shortly thereafter, the Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, sinking within minutes.
McVay and the crew faced unimaginable horrors in shark-infested waters for days before rescue. Tragically, nearly three-quarters of the crew perished. In the aftermath, McVay became a scapegoat, accused of failing to take evasive action and court-martialed for the loss of his ship. Years later, it was revealed that crucial information had been withheld during his trial, exonerating McVay from blame, but by then, it was too late.