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USS INDIANAPOLIS legacy Logo v3 White BG.png

USS INDIANAPOLIS/ GWINN “ANGEL”

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

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Lieutenant (jg) W.C. (Chuck) Gwinn,

pilot PV-1 Ventura

VPB-152 PV-1 Crew

LTJG Wilbur C (Chuck) Gwinn, pilot and crew

(L>R front) Gwinn, LT Warren Colwell, co-pilot

(L>R back) Harold Hickman, AOM2; William Hartman,

Chief Radioman; Joseph Johnson, AMM1

About The Scholarship

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The scholarship program is dedicated to the memory of Chuck Gwinn (1920-1993), the Navy pilot who first spotted the survivors of USS Indianapolis (CA-35) and initiated their miraculous rescue at sea.

 

The genesis of this college scholarship program began in 2002. Doug Stanton, author of In Harm’s Way, originated the idea and funded the initial USS Indianapolis Survivors Fund Scholarship Program to benefit family members of the ship’s crew and help preserve its historic legacy. Six years later, in 2008, the fund became permanently endowed by the family of Wilbur Charles (Chuck) Gwinn and was renamed in honor of the man the survivors called their “Angel”.

 

The fund is managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation in Traverse City, Michigan.

 

Chuck was one of the first persons to be awarded Honorary Survivor status. He attended every reunion beginning in 1960 until his death in July 1993.

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Who's Eligible:

  • Descendants of USS Indianapolis (CA-35) Survivors, Lost-at-Sea crewmembers, Rescue crew, or Honorary Survivors;

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  • Full time or prospective full-time students of an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university;

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  • Students with academic good standing. A GPA of 3.0 or above is preferred.

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  • Only one scholarship per student. Previous award recipients are not eligible.

When & How to Apply:

  • Applications are available online from February 1 through March 31 each year.

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