A World War II U.S. Navy warship, the USS Edsall, was discovered at the bottom of the Indian Ocean more than 80 years after its sinking.
The discovery took place 200 miles east of Christmas Island, south of Java, by the Royal Australian Navy while carrying out an unrelated mission in the area, Telemundo 51 reported.
The ship, which played a key role in the Allied campaigns in the Pacific, was sunk by Japanese forces on March 1, 1942, with over 200 soldiers on board.
It was reported that the Edsall was attacked by Japanese aircraft after evading gunfire from warships, and its sinking resulted in the deaths of 185 Navy personnel and 31 pilots from the Army Air Force.
The U.S. Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, emphasized the bravery of the crew of the Edsall and expressed the desire to preserve this important site as a tribute to the fallen.
The announcement of the discovery was made public on Monday, coinciding with Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Australia and Great Britain.
The discovery was made possible through the use of advanced technology for hydrographic studies, and the site of the shipwreck has been designated as sacred in memory of the heroes who lost their lives at this point in the Indian Ocean.
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