Hunter Alan Scott (born June 9, 1985) is best known for the research he did on the sinking of as a sixth-grade student, which led to a United States Congressional investigation and exoneration for its captain.

Research into the USS ''Indianapolis'' sinking

In 1997, as a 12-year old living in

Pensacola, Florida Pensacola () is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, and the county seat and only incorporated city of Escambia County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 54,312. Pensacola is the principal ...

, Hunter Scott created a

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project on the sinking of , becoming interested in the subject after seeing it discussed in the film ''

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'' with his father. Scott interviewed nearly 150 survivors of the ''Indianapolis'' sinking and reviewed 800 documents. He concluded that the ship's Captain Charles Butler McVay III, who had been blamed for the tragedy, was innocent.

National reaction

With the support of his Congressman,

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(R-FL), Scott's research brought attention to the ''Indianapolis'' sinking and resultant heavy loss of life. Scott appeared before the US Congress with survivors of ''Indianapolis'' to argue that McVay should be exonerated. In his testimony, Scott said: "This is Captain McVay's dog tag from when he was a cadet at the

Naval Academy A naval academy provides education for prospective naval officers. See also * Military academy A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally pro ...

. As you can see, it has his thumbprint on the back. I carry this as a reminder of my mission in the memory of a man who ended his own life in 1968. I carry this dog tag to remind me that only in the

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can one person make a difference no matter what the age. I carry this dog tag to remind me of the privilege and responsibility that I have to carry forward the torch of honor passed to me by the men of the USS ''Indianapolis''." The testimonies of Scott and the ''Indianapolis'' Survivors Organization resulted in the passage of a Congressional resolution, signed by President

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in October 2000, exonerating McVay. Scott's efforts received national media attention. Florida governor

Jeb Bush John Ellis "Jeb" Bush (born February 11, 1953) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 43rd governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. Bush, who grew up in Houston, was the second son of former President George H. W. Bush a ...

declared August 24, 2001 "Hunter Scott Day." Scott was featured in '' George Magazine'' as "one of the most intriguing political figures" of the year. In 2004, Scott spoke at events surrounding the dedication of the

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Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

Later life

Scott studied economics and physics at the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States ...

, on a

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scholarship, and graduated in May 2007. Lieutenant Hunter Scott, a Naval Aviator, served as a flight deck officer aboard . Scott's story and that of ''Indianapolis'' were told in ''Left for Dead: A Young Man's Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis'' by Pete Nelson. Scott supplied the preface to Nelson's book.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scott, Hunter 1985 births Living people American military writers Military personnel from Florida People from Pensacola, Florida United States Naval Aviators University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni Writers from Florida