The William Curtis Ewbank Memorial Scholarship was established in March 2013 by his son Thomas P. Ewbank in memory of the father he never met. William was killed in action in World War II on July 31, 1944, when his son was only seven months old. William was a fifth-generation Ewbank resident of Dearborn County. He was born April 5, 1913. He graduated from Lawrenceburg High School in 1931 and was an excellent, hardworking student, who earned an A.B. degree in Economics at Indiana University in 1935. He also received a Second Lieutenant’s rank from the R.O.T.C. at I.U., where he was awarded an Outstanding Cadet Medal. After a tour on Thomas Act duty in Kentucky helping to run a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp and then at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis in Company B of the 11th Infantry, 5th Division, he studied for one year toward an M.B.A. at Harvard University.
In 1939, William joined Briggs Clarifier Company in Washington, D.C. as purchasing agent and office manager. William was called back to active duty in October, 1942 after declining an “essential job” deferment for which he was eligible and after resisting a medical deferment for TB scar tissue. On June 1, 1943, his third wedding anniversary, Lt. Ewbank left the United States, not ever to return alive, for duty with the Air Base Squadron near London, England. While in London, he took advantage of the educational opportunities there by attending classes at the University of London in July and August of 1943. He volunteered to rejoin his original company B, of the 11th Infantry, 5th Division, as a First Lieutenant, in February of 1944 in Northern Ireland because he felt he was more needed in a combat role than in a passive one of ground support for the Air Corps. He volunteered despite the obvious risk of death or serious injury. In the Infantry, William was involved in fighting near St. Lo in Normandy, France during the month of July after the original Normandy landing on June 6, 1944. He was killed in action on July 31, 1944 by sniper fire. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star posthumously. William was survived by his wife, Maxine Peters Ewbank (who passed away in 2008) a daughter Betsey (who passed away in 1986), not yet 3, and a 7 month old son, Thomas, whom he never met.
William was known as a hard working student and very patriotic man, who loved his country! His son Thomas established this scholarship in his father’s memory and to honor a student who embodies the same qualities as William.
Amount of Scholarship: One Scholarship up to $5,000
Click Here to Apply for This Scholarship
Please use your browser’s “Back Button” to return to the previous page.
Contact the DCF office with questions relating to available scholarship opportunities:
Dearborn Community Foundation
322 Walnut Street
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
(812)539-4115 phone