Historic ship launches search for original “North Carolina Navy” members who donated lunch money in 1961 campaign

NORTH CAROLINA — More than 60 years ago, an extraordinary act of civic pride unfolded across North Carolina: schoolchildren saved a battleship.

Armed with nothing but determination and their lunch money, students from every corner of the state launched a grassroots campaign that would make history. In 1961, these young North Carolinians collected nickels, dimes and spare change through the “Save Our Ship” initiative, raising more than $300,000 and rescuing the U.S.S. North Carolina from the scrap heap.

Their effort brought the ship home to Wilmington and transformed it into a living memorial to the 11,000 North Carolinians who gave their lives in World War II and to the 9,000 crew members who served aboard.

A Search for Heroes

Today, those children are grandparents and great-grandparents scattered across North Carolina and throughout the country. The Battleship North Carolina, a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is now searching for these original “North Carolina Navy” members—the kids, families and community leaders whose small donations made the impossible possible.

“Think about it: Children across North Carolina emptied their piggy banks and saved a battleship,” said Dr. Jay Martin, executive director of the Battleship North Carolina. “These donors are now in their 70s and 80s, living all across our state and beyond. We want to find them, hear their stories, and ensure their extraordinary contributions are never forgotten.”

Stories of Sacrifice and Pride

The memories already shared tell a powerful story of determination and youthful dedication:

“There was very little extra money, but my parents managed to send many dimes with us to school to help save the USS North Carolina,” one former student recalled.

“All of my brothers and sister and I sold drink bottles, raked yards, knocked on doors — most anything we could to raise money,” another contributor remembered.

“It was exciting to know I had helped bring the Battleship home,” wrote a third participant.

How to Share Your Story

Whether you’re a former student “crew member” who donated a dime, a teacher who organized your class, or a community leader who helped rally your town—no matter where you live now—the Battleship wants to hear your story.

Anyone who contributed, or whose parents or grandparents did, can share written memories, photographs or videos at www.battleshipnc.com/dimes. Submissions will become part of a digital archive and may be featured in upcoming exhibits and educational programming celebrating the people who accomplished what seemed impossible: a generation of kids who saved a battleship.

About the Memorial

The U.S.S. North Carolina (BB-55) is America’s most decorated World War II battleship, now decommissioned and permanently moored among 55 acres of Eagles Island wildlands on the Cape Fear River at Wilmington. The memorial commemorates the heroism of North Carolinians who served their country during World War II and memorializes the roughly 11,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Today, the Battleship and the adjacent park serve as a place for learning, reflection and community engagement—connecting past events to current conversations about service, leadership and citizenship through programs, exhibits and events.

For more information, visit www.battleshipnc.com or call (910) 399-9100.

The Battleship North Carolina is managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.