Lt. John J. Griffin, Jr. / USS Emmons Memorial Scholarship
Two $2500 scholarships are awarded each year. The 2023 application is available here. Deadline is May 31, 2023.
Mission Statement:
The Scholarship Program was established to help preserve, maintain and promote the legacy of the 60 courageous men who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of their ship and shipmates on April 6, 1945 during the battle of Okinawa. Their fighting spirit and that of the surviving USS Emmons crew members led by Lt. John J. Griffin was in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Navy and must be preserved for the benefit of future generations of Americans.
Applying for the Scholarship:
Applications for the scholarships are available annually to:
1) Direct, lineal descendants of one who served aboard the USS Emmons, and
2) Direct, lineal descendants of a sibling of any childless crew member who lost his life as a result of the April 6, 1945 attack at Okinawa.
The 2023 scholarship application is available! Deadline for submission is May 31, 2023.
2022 Recipients:
Layne Fry and Isaac Bird have been awarded the 2022 Lt. John J. Griffin, Jr./USS Emmons Memorial Scholarships. Each received a $2500 scholarship to use toward their educational expenses for the 2022-23 academic year.
Layne is the great-granddaughter of shipmate Stanley Layne Fisher, who gave his life aboard the Emmons at Okinawa. She started her undergraduate work at Kent State University, majoring in Fashion Merchandising.
Our other recipient is Isaac Bird, grandson of Josephine Morrow, sister of O’Neil Infanto who also gave his life aboard the Emmons at Okinawa. Isaac, a previous scholarship recipient as an undergraduate, began his graduate work at the University of Sussex, UK, where he is working toward his Master of Arts in Development Studies.