Graduate's speech inspired by Quint Jaws monologue...and then helps USS Indianapolis survivors
A life long JAWS fan and college professor was so inspired by Quint’s story about the USS Indianapois that he decided to partner directly with the remaining survivors to understand their ordeal for a research paper leading to one of the most touching graduation speeches ever heard.
Quint (Robert Shaw) tells his story about surviving the sinking of USS Indianapolis in Steven Spielberg’s JAWS (1975)
Eric Street, who teaches business in Kentucky, has always been a JAWS fan. It was the first movie he saw on VHS and has always been in his top 5 favorite movies. But he also has a family connection to the USS Indianapolis tragedy.
Eric Street giving his Jaws / Indianapolis inspired graduation speech
“My grandfather was a Naval WW2 vet and the men of the Indianapolis basically saved my life. My grandfather would have more than likely been killed in an invasion of Japan. ”
Eric with Hooper himself, Jaws star Richard Dreyfuss
Eric with Jaws actress Susan Backlinie (Chrissie Watkins)
Just 10 more minutes…. Eric with Jaws actor Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner)
Eric’s research paper Combat Veteran Emotional Intelligence: Lessons on Performance Under Pressure was completed with the help USS Indianapolis survivors.
“Meeting those men and actually working on research with them was one of the biggest thrills of my life.”
Eric’s graduation speech (from his doctoral program) was in part inspired by Quint’s own speech in Jaws while also paying tribute to the entire crew of the USS Indianapolis.
You can watch Eric’s speech in full below.
Eric pictured with Edger Harrell, a marine who served on the USS Indianpolis
Words, images and video by Eric Street
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