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HR 3710 105th Congress House

Charles Butler McVay and U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS Relief Act

Official title: To exonerate the late Rear Admiral Charles Butler McVay, III, captain of the U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS when it was sunk on July 30, 1945, from responsibility for that sinking, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 18, 1998 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security CommemorationsCongressCongress and military policyCourts-martial and courts of inquiry
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Crime and Law EnforcementCruisersGovernment Operations and PoliticsHistoryLawMilitary medals, decorations, etc.Naval historyNaval operationsNaval personnelOfficer personnelPresidential pardonsWorld War II
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 16, 1998
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.
Sep 28, 1998
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Sep 28, 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Apr 22, 1998
Referred to the House Committee on National Security.
Apr 22, 1998
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 16, 1998

Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Charles Butler McVay and U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS Relief Act - Exonerates the late rear admiral Charles Butler McVay III, United States Navy (retired), from responsibility for the sinking of the U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS on July 30, 1945, while under his command. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the subsequent court-martial conviction of McVay was a grave injustice. Urges the President to grant McVay a posthumous pardon.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should award a Presidential Unit Citation to the final crew of the INDIANAPOLIS in recognition of their courage and fortitude displayed in the face of tremendous adversity after their ship was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese navy.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 14
All 14 Democratic 3 Republican 1
DOOLEY, CAL
· Aug 5, 1998
JOHN, CHRISTOPHER
· Aug 5, 1998
CHRISTENSEN, DONNA
· Jul 20, 1998
GREENWOOD, JAMES
· Jul 20, 1998
KLECZKA, GERALD
· Jul 20, 1998
LAMPSON, NICK
· Jul 20, 1998
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Jul 20, 1998
MCINNIS, SCOTT
· Jul 20, 1998
STENHOLM, CHARLES
· Jul 20, 1998
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Jun 18, 1998
 D
Clyburn, James E.
South Carolina · May 21, 1998
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · May 21, 1998
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · May 13, 1998
FROST, MARTIN
· Apr 22, 1998
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3710: Charles Butler McVay and U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS Relief Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3710/
MLA
"H.R. 3710: Charles Butler McVay and U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS Relief Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3710/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3710, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3710/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3710: Charles Butler McVay and U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS Relief Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-3710/)
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