Honor Veterans & Patriots

About the fund

The Honor Veterans and Patriots ROTC Scholarship Fund was originally established in 2016 by Michael Rainbolt, LTC, USA, Ret., to honor former servicemembers, their families, and the many more who have supported, in varying capacities, the United States Armed Forces. Each year, the scholarship fund supports one cadet each in the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine ROTC programs at Oregon State University.

If you are interested in making a contribution to the fund for the purpose of honoring a veteran or patriot, please contact the Benton Community Foundation at 541-753-1603.

Honor Veterans & Patriots

Sam Artoff

  • US Marine Corps, WWII

Thomas “Artie” Artoff

  • US Army, Vietnam

MSG Max Beilke

  • Army (22 years), Korea and Vietnam

Major Albert Berglund

  • OSU ROTC, Oregon National Guard

Col Mildred Jean Chambers

Virginia Dean

  • WWII, Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP)

Janine DePaz

  • US Army, Desert Storm Veteran

Enrique Espinoza

  • AF ROTC Cadet

Patrick Fisher

  • US Navy, 1983-2003
  • Deployments: Cuba, Europe, Middle East

LTC John Robert “Bob” Hardison

  • Oregon National Guard, US Army
  • Commanded Army ROTC unit at OSU
  • Two Bronze Stars (Valor and Oak Leaf Cluster), Two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry (Silver Star and Palm), Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious and Army Meritorious Service Medals, Four Army Commendation Medals, Combat and Expert Infantry Badges,Parachutist Badge

Capt Jonathan Hayes

  • Commission US Air Force, ROTC, Tuffs University 1964
  • Three tours in Vietnam, 22 Air Medals
  • Five Distinguished Flying Crosses with “V” for Heroism

LtCol Kevin Hummert

  • Air Force ROTC, OSU
  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Chief of Weapons and Tactics, HQ AF Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, LA

Capt Danielle (Dayton) Hummert

  • Air Force ROTC, OSU
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Air Force Commendation Medal

James Jordan

  • Air Force ROTC, Kansas State University

John E Morford

Mary Ann Nardello

  • Former Regent, Daughters of American Revolution

CW4 Wayne Nutsch

  • US Army Helicopter Mechanic
  • UH-1 Helicopter Pilot, Vietnam
  • Air Medal with “36” Device – Master Army Aviator

Col. Louis Pearson

  • WWII Veteran – Africa, Italy, France

Jonathan Poling

  • US Army, 1987-1993
  • Deployments: Germany, Korea, Desert Storm, 1990-1991

Major Joan Rainey

  • OSU ROTC – Medical Service Corps
  • Served in Northern Germany

Ivan L. Rauch

  • Merchant Marines & Navy; WWII, Korea, Vietnam

William H. Robbins III

  • Navy 1959, Bay of Pigs Invasion

TSGT Eugene S. Robertson

  • US Air Force, Vietnam Veteran, 12th Air Commando Squadron
  • Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters

Col. Bob Schoning

  • US Marine Corps, 30 years, WWII, Korea,Vietnam
  • Bronze Star for Valor

Bernadine Taplin

  • Daughters of American Colonists (Patriotic Organization) member

LTC Kelly R. Thies

  • US Army, Veteran of Iraq War

Frank Walsh

  • WWII Veteran, 9th Armored Division, Siegfried Line
  • Battle of the Bulge, Ruhr Valley

LTC Jerry Ward

  • ROTC, University of Texas
  • Vietnam Veteran; Bronze Star
  • ROTC, Oregon State University; Assistant Professor of Military Science

SSG Cody Wendel

  • OR National Guard, 3 Deployments – Afghanistan, Jordan, Poland

LtCol (Retired) Nolan “Pat” Williams

  • Graduated 1952 with ROTC Commission, Air Force (retired 1974)
  • Served on Guam, WWII Veteran, Vietnam Veteran

Mackenzie Wilson

  • AF ROTC Cadet killed in a Training Accident at Mountain Home AFB 2022

Col. Robert (Bob) Wray

  • US Marine Corps, 1943
  • Fighter Pilot, WWII
  • Company Commander, Korean War. Two Silver Stars
  • Vietnam Veteran
  • Commanding Officer, NROTC, Oregon State University

Click here for more information about Scholarships.
Apply to scholarships via the Scholarship Portal.