3/26 Scholarship Fund

The scholarship was started while the Battalion was in Vietnam and was originally administered by American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.  It remained under the auspices of the college until 2001 when it was transferred to the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation.  At the time of the transfer, the fund was valued at slightly over $10,000.  In 2002, the 3/26 administrator changed from Andy DeBona to Tom Early.  In 2009 the fund was transferred to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and was valued at $30,000.  In 2020, Walt Whitesides was added as an administrator.

Children and grandchildren of 3/26 Marines are eligible for the scholarship.  If no children or grandchildren of 3/26 members apply, the award may be given to any eligible child of any Marine.  Details can be found at https://www.mcsf.org/apply/eligibility/

Recipients have received cash awards ranging from  $2000 to $3000 (based on a percentage of the fund value). Recipients since the fund returned to 3/26 control include:

2020 – Jacob Terry – grandson of Ricardo Olivas

2017 – Andrew DeBona – grandson of Andy DeBona

2014 – Brianna Prince – daughter of Craig Prince

2014 – Stacie Rest – daughter of Edward Rest

2014 – Sol Ryan – son of James Ryan

2014 – MiKayla Saltzman – daughter of Thomas Saltzman

2011 – Sheril Denny – daughter of Jim Wallin – St Cloud Minnesota Technical College

2010 – no award as of July 2010

2009 Courtney Brown – granddaughter of Curtis Brown – Kings College (NY)

2008 Chelsea Johnson – granddaughter of Rufus Wade – University of Maine at Orono

2007 Benjamin Robbins – nephew of James Sigman – Boston University

2006 Artis Montgomery – daughter of Arthur Montgomery – Rutgers University

2005 John Manzi Bailes – nephew of John Manzi – Rochester Institute of Technology

2004 James McFarland III – son of James McFarland Jr – graduate school (unknown)

2003 James McFarland III – son of James McFarland Jr – Neuman College (PA)

Sons and daughters or grandchildren of 3/26 members who have honorably served or died in service are eligible for scholarships.  Further information can be found at www.mcsf.org