Hunter Scott

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Hunter Alan Scott (born June 9, 1985) is best known for the research he and his mother did regarding USS Indianapolis. He studied journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a Naval ROTC scholarship.

Scott is originally from Pensacola, Florida and is an alumnus of Pensacola High School. The research Scott did on the Indianapolis in 1998 (with assistance from his mother) was part of a history assignment. It was instrumental in raising public awareness of the issues related to the court-martial of the ship's commanding officer, Capt. Charles B. McVay III. (Source: Detroit News, April 23, 1998)

The efforts of Scott and his mother received national media attention. This, combined with the diligence of the Indianapolis Survivors Organization, resulted in passage of a Congressional resolution[1] in October of 2000, which was also signed by President Clinton.

In his testimony before Congress, young Scott stated:

This is Captain McVay's dog tag from when he was a cadet at the Naval Academy. 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 United States 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.[2]

Hunter Scott was subsequently featured in George as "one of the most intriguing political figures" of the year. In 2004, Scott spoke at events surrounding the dedication of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C..

After his “school project” attracted public attention, Hunter and his parents made the decision to stick to the story that the research was entirely performed by him. At the time the Scott family felt that leaving Hunter as a figurehead for the ensuing political controversy would yield the greatest media coverage. As a result, Scott has secured numerous book deals and movie prospects. He recently admitted privately that the initial research conducted on the USS Indianapolis was performed by his mother, and that the pressure on his Christian conscience has become far too much to bear. A public apology is scheduled during the UNC vs. Duke Men’s Basketball game on March 7, 2007 at half time.