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Navy Officer Recognized for His USS Indianapolis Ransom Middle History Project
March 12, 2025
Hunter Scott was a 12-year-old Ransom Middle School student whose National History Day project changed U.S. Navy history.
Scott gained national attention for his research into the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. As a 12-year-old Ransome student, Scott embarked on a National History Day project after being inspired by a scene from the movie Jaws. His dedication to uncovering the truth led him to interview nearly 150 survivors of the sinking and review over 800 documents. Scott’s findings exonerated Indianapolis Captain McVay, who had long been blamed for the tragedy, and played a crucial role in the United States Congress reopening the case and ultimately exonerating him posthumously.
Then-Pensacola Congressman Joe Scarborough introduced legislation in October 2000, successfully lobbying Congress to award the Naval Unit Commendation to the ships final crew.
On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis CA-35 fell prey to a Japanese submarine and was sunk after delivering the first operational atomic bomb to the island of Tinnian. Of the 1,196 men aboard only 317 were pulled from the water after the sinking. It was greatest single loss of life at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy.
Tuesday, now Cmdr. Hunter Scott, executive officer of Consolidated Brig Miramar, was the guest speaker on Tuesday during a special ceremony honoring the legacy of the USS Indianapolis at the National Aviation Museum.
Pictured top: Cmdr. Hunter Scott, speaks at a National Naval Aviation Museum-sponsored USS Indianapolis observance on Tuesday at museum. Pictured below: A museum visitor looks at the project Scott made while a student at Ransom Middle School. Pictured second below: A photograph of USS Indianapolis taken 20 days before sinking. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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7 Responses to “Navy Officer Recognized for His USS Indianapolis Ransom Middle History Project”
I was teaching 8th grade Civics at Ransom Middle when Hunter Scott developed his excellent history fair project. He was a dedicated student who was on a mission to right a wrong because Capt McVay received a dishonorable charge for supposedly not zig zagging retreat on a torpedo assault. Hunter personally interviewed many of the survivors of the U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS and recorded their personal accounts. I even called my Congressman and asked him to help Hunter prove his case. Hunter is to be commended for his determination to continue his mission inspite of some drawbacks and this is part of the reason why he is the leader he is today…THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO TRUTH. JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY,. HUNTER SCOTT.
WOW!! This is a testament to how just ONE life can make such a difference.
Awesome!
I remember reading this story years ago, thinking “this kid is going to go places in life.” Very impressive research form that young man.
Great job XO! Thank you for your service.
The book entitled Left for Dead has a preface by Cmdr. Hunter Scott (as a young man) and is the story of the USS Indianapolis, the tragedy and the truths uncovered through the diligence of Cmdr. Scott. It is a fascinating historical account of the events at the time of the initial tragedy and the wrongs that followed until a young man’s curiosity helped to give voice to the survivors’ accounting of events.
Great job Commander Scott. The USS Indianapolis is a tragic and fascinating story.