Col. Ben Donahue Memorial Scholarship

The Society for Aviation History is pleased to announce the revival of the Col. Ben Donahue Memorial Scholarship for 2017. Created in 2009 to honor the memory and legacy of Lt. Col. Benjamin L. Donahue, USAF (Ret.), the scholarship serves to recognize high school students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership skills, community service, and aviation-related career goals.

Col. Benjamin L. Donahue (Feb. 10, 1918 - March 16, 2006) was an Army Air Forces B-24 pilot flying with the 15th Air Force in Italy during World War II. He later served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, and subsequently as a California Highway Patrolman for a number of years. Col. Donahue served as vice president of the Northern California Chapter of the American Aviation Historical Society, our predecessor organization, and later as vice president of the Society for Aviation History (SAH).

2020

Cadet Austin Walker (upper left) poses with a few of his fellow cadets at a Novato High School JROTC event. Photo courtesy of Cadet Walker.

The Society for Aviation History continued its partnership with Marin's Air Force Junior ROTC Student Leadership program for school year 2019-2020 with the presentation of our society's annual Col. Ben Donahue Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes high school students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership skills, community service and career goals, and consists of a handsome wall plaque, a check for $250, and an invitation to a future SAH lunch meeting.

Our scholarship recipient this year is graduating senior Cadet Austin Walker. The SAH is pleased to recognize Cadet Walker's academic achievement and his distinguished team leadership while serving as Commander of the AFJROTC Operations Unit and the Commander of the Color Guard Team. Because of the early school closure and the subsequent cancellation of the May Awards Ceremony due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this author, regrettably, was unable to formally present the scholarship. Instead, JROTC interim-program director and aerospace science instructor MSgt. Richard "Sarge" Muench, USAF (Ret.) made the presentation privately.

Based at Novato High School, near the former Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, Calif., the JROTC program is an elective course open to Marin County and North Bay high school students. The program, now in its 55th year, offers a diverse curriculum that provides instruction in the fundamentals of aerospace science and promotes self-discipline, teamwork, responsibility and citizenship. Throughout the year, the program receives vital support from the Marin-based 501(c)(3) organization Building Better Citizens for America (BBCA) and the volunteer Parent Boosters Club.

2019

For a third consecutive year, the Society for Aviation History partnered with Marin's Air Force Junior ROTC Student Leadership Program with the presentation of our society's Col. Ben Donahue Memorial Scholarship. This annual award recognizes high school students who've demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, team leadership, community service, and career goals.

Beginning in early spring this year, SAH President Ron Close coordinated with Marin's JROTC leadership in the cadet selection process. Following a thorough review of enrolled cadets, Interim Program Director Lt. Col. Patrick Clark, USAF (Ret.) and Aerospace Science Instructor M/Sgt. Richard "Sarge" Muench, USAF (Ret.) selected Honor Student Cadet Carson Langenbacher as recipient of our 2019 Donahue Memorial Scholarship. During the JROTC Awards Night Ceremony held at Novato High School on the evening of May 10, 2019, this author proudly presented Cadet Langenbacher a handsome plaque and a check for two hundred fifty dollars. The SAH looks forward to hosting Langenbacher and his parents at a future general meeting.

Prior to his enrollment in Marin's JROTC program, Cadet Langenbacher participated in the U.S. Coast Guard Junior Leadership Program based at Camden County High School in Camden, North Carolina. During his freshman year there he received the Outstanding Freshman Cadet Award. Now, upon completing his second year with Marin's JROTC, he holds the positions of Unit Operations Commander and Vice Commander of the Color Guard Team. His extracurricular activities include serving as a cadet with the U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary Program based in Novato. This summer, he'll participate in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Leadership Program, and, following his high school graduation next year, he'll attend a service Academy while aiming for a Coast Guard or Navy career.

Based at Novato High School, near the former Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, Calif., Marin's Air Force JROTC program is an elective course open to Marin County and North Bay high school students. The program, now in its 54th year, offers a diverse curriculum designed to educate and train high school students in citizenship, promote community service, instill responsibility, character, and self-discipline, and provide instruction in aerospace fundamentals.

2018

For a second consecutive year, the Society for Aviation History partnered with Marin County's Air Force Junior ROTC Student Leadership Program for the annual presentation of our society's Col. Ben Donahue Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship honors the memory and legacy of Lt. Col. Benjamin L. Donahue, USAF (Ret.) and recognizes outstanding academic, leadership, and personal achievements by high school students.

For school year 2017-2018, SAH Vice President Ron Close collaborated with incoming JROTC Program Director Lt. Col. Robert Brich, USAF (Ret.) and long-time Aerospace Science Instructor MSgt. Richard "Sarge" Muench, USAF (Ret.) with the selection of our scholarship recipient Cadet Gerson Urrutia. A plaque and a check for two hundred fifty dollars was presented to Cadet Urrutia at the JROTC Awards Night Ceremony held at Novato High School on May 18, 2018. Our society looks forward to hosting Cadet Urrutia and his parents, Kenneth and Julia, at a future SAH lunch meeting.

A first-year cadet, and a graduating senior, honor student Urrutia provided crucial language interpretation assistance throughout the school year to fellow cadets learning English as a second language. His professional approach and dedication to daily JROTC activities is strongly recognized and highly appreciated at all levels of the program.

Key to the program's success and longevity are the on-going efforts by the local foundation Building Better Citizens for America. BBCA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation created by community members for the specific purpose of providing support to Marin's Air Force JROTC. Additional program support is provided by the all-volunteer Parent Boosters Club that assists with classroom needs, fundraising, and the coordination of JROTC activities and events throughout the year.

Our society graciously thanks Donahue's daughter, Jill Hively, for her generous donation to our scholarship fund this year.

2017

For the school year 2016-2017, the SAH partnered with the leadership of Marin's Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at Novato High School to identify an eligible scholarship recipient. JROTC Director Lt. Col. Hiroshi Yamaguchi USAF (Ret.) and instructor Master/Sgt. Richard Muench USAF (Ret.) provided valuable guidance in the cadet selection process, and based on their recommendation, Cadet Tech Sergeant Michael Fretz, a junior from San Marin High School was selected. This author proudly presented a plaque and a check for $250 to Cadet Fretz at the JROTC's Promotion and Awards ceremony held at Novato High School, Friday, May 12, 2017. Additionally, Close extended an invitation to Fretz and his parents to an upcoming SAH general meeting. Our Society looks forward to hosting them at our October 7 meeting.

Cadet Fretz's accomplishments within the JROTC program include positions as Color Guard Team Commander, and Commander of Technical Support. Scholastically, Fretz maintained a GPA of 4.0 and posted excellent scores on the SAT/ACT college proficiency exams. Outside of JROTC, he serves as Boy Scout junior assistant scoutmaster, and board treasurer with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Soon to be an Eagle Scout, Fretz is also a member of the BSA National Honor Society. Other notable activities Fretz participates in are: church youth leader, varsity track/cross-country, and volunteering at the Marin food bank. His college plans include the Air Force Academy, or another aerospace college for aerospace engineering, and his career goals include military officer, or aerospace engineer/pilot.

Located north of San Francisco, near the former Hamilton Air Force Base, Marin's Air Force JROTC Student Leadership Program is an elective course open to Marin County high school students. Currently in its 51st year, the program offers a diverse curriculum designed to educate and train high school students in citizenship, promote community service, instill responsibility, character, and self-discipline, and provide instruction in air and space fundamentals.

Per U.S. Air Force enrollment requirements, the JROTC program maintains a minimum of 100 cadets each year. Although the majority of the program's cadets are enrolled at Novato High School, students from other local schools (San Marin and Terra Linda High Schools, for example) also participate. Marin's Air Force JROTC program is designated as a National Distinguished Unit with Merit.

April 4th 2009

The first recipient of this award is Civil Air Patrol Cadet 1^st Lt. Daniel Friesen, cadet commander of Diablo Composite Squadron 44, based at Buchanan Field in Concord. Lt. Friesen received admission to the April meeting and a one-year membership. For a complete interview with Lt. Friesen, please see the March 2009 issue of Touch & Go.

SOCIETY FOR AVIATION HISTORY  

P.O. Box 5344, Petaluma, CA. 94955
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