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 Bay. 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.