Dr. Giles McCoy

Dr. Giles McCoy, 83, of Palm Coast, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2009. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 7th at 11:00AM at the V.F.W. Post 8696 at 47 Old Kings Rd. in Palm Coast. 12:14 AM on July 30, 1945, the U.S.S. Indianapolis, a heavy cruiser that just completed the top secret mission of delivering the components for the Atomic Bomb dropped on Japan, was torpedoed in the Philippine Sea. Of the 1,196 men on board, about 900 survived into the water. After four days of relentless shark attacks, only 316 were left alive to be rescued. Due to the nature of their mission, the existence of the Indianapolis was not acknowledged. Only by happenstance did an American aircraft spot the survivors, one of which was the Marine Corp's Private First Class Giles McCoy. He is the nationally recognized speaker on the subject and had is exploits published in the book "Forever a Soldier." In civilian life, he went on to become a chiropractor. He enjoyed playing baseball, golfing, fishing and hunting and was active in the VFW. He and his wife of 61 years, Betty, moved to Palm Coast in 1987 from St. Louis, Missouri. He is also survived by sons, Dennis (Tisha), Craig (Pam) of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Marsha Hudson of San Antonio, Texas; sister, Elsie Wolverton (Richard) of Collinsville, Illinois; four grandchildren (one of whom is presently serving in the Marines); two great grandchildren and one step great grandchild. Condolences may be shared via the family guestbook at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Palm Coast.