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.
Maj. Albert Berglund
OSU ROTC, Oregon National Guard
Career in Communications at OSU
Passed away in 2016
Virginia Dean
WWII, Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP)
Not considered Military until 1970
BA in Home Economics from Indiana University
Member of the Retired Officers Club of Corvallis
(changed to Military Officers Club, now Associated Military Leaders of Oregon)
Worked in County Extension and as a Dietician
Volunteered for various programs in Corvallis
Passed away September 2020 at 104 years old
Janine DePaz
US Army
Desert Storm Veteran
Works at VA Home in Lebanon, OR
Patrick Fisher
US Navy, 1983-2003
Gunners Mate
Deployments: Cuba, Europe, Middle East
Responsible for Shipboard munitions
Maintained Fire Fighting Equipment plus Security
Personal Trainer at Fitness Center in Beaverton
Tri-Athlete
LTC John Robert “Bob” Hardison
Enlisted in Oregon National Guard in 1957
Served in Europe for 10 years
Served in South Vietnam from 1966-67
Deputy and Chief of Staff G-1 at the Berlin Brigade Headquarters
Distinguished Graduate of Infantry Officer Candidate School
Commanded Honor Guard for the State Funeral of President Herbert Hoover
Commanded Army ROTC unit at OSU
Passed away May 28, 2021
Decorations
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
Richard III Society, American Branch, Chairman
Richard III Society, Vice President
Distinguished Flying Cross Society
80th Fighter Squadron Association
National Rifle Association
Municipal Bond Finance Manager
WA Economic Development Finance Authority (WEDFA), Executive Director
Military Officers Club of Corvallis, President, 2015-2018
Passed away February 2020
Kevin Hummert and Danielle (Dayton) Hummert
Both Commission Air Force ROTC, OSU
Kevin Hummert (AF ROTC 2005)
MS, Space Studies 2012
Air Cmd & Staff College 2017
Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA 2018
Meritorious Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Chief of Weapons and Tactics, HQ AF Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, LA
Promoted to LtCol 2019
Danielle Hummert (AF ROTC 2007)
First assignment, Malstrom AFB
Beale AFB, USAF Reserves – Personnel Manager
LA AFB, USAF Reserves – Sexual Assault Response Coord.
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Promoted to Captain, 2014
Veterinary Technician 2014
Mary Ann Nardello
Member, Daughters of American Revolution (DAR)
Former Regent, DAR
Member & Former Secretary, Military Officers Club
102 Years Old
CW4 Wayne Nutsch
CEO Nutsch Aviation, Independence, Oregon
US Army Helicopter Mechanic, 1964
UH-1 Helicopter Pilot, Vietnam
More than 1,000 hours Combat Time
C/229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division
Air Medal with “36” Device – Master Army Aviator
Army Reserve and National Guard Pilot, UH-1, OH-58, C-26
Chief Pilot and Chief Instructor of FAA-approved Pilot School
FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, 1970-2000
FAA National HQ, 1985-2000
Col. Louis Pearson
WWII Veteran – Africa, Italy, France
Military Officers Association, Corvallis Chapter
Passed away August 28, 2003
Jonathan Poling
Served in US Army, 1987-1993
Fort Benning, Georgia
Germany & Korea
Desert Storm, 1990-1991
Maj. Joan Rainey
OSU ROTC – Medical Service Corps
Served in Northern Germany
Supports Cadets with family scholarship
Passed away in 2010
Ivan L. Rauch
WWII, Korea, Vietnam – Merchant Marines & Navy
Served on aircraft carrier
Passed away February 2017
TSgt. Eugene S. Robertson
Enlisted, US Air Force, February 1953
Vietnam Veteran, 12th Air Commando Squadron
320 Combat Sortie Missions, 520 Combat Hours
Flight Engineer crossed trained as Pharmacy Technician
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters
Col. Bob Schoning
30 years, USMC; WWII/Korea/Vietnam; Bronze Star for Valor
University of Washington, Degree in Fisheries
24 years with State Fish Commission, last 11 years as Director
Director of National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington, D.C.
Professor of Fisheries at OSU
Former President, Corvallis Chapter of MOAA
Passed away February 2020
LTC Kelly R. Thies
Joined the Army in 1976
Seven years enlisted service
Obtained a 3-year ROTC scholarship
Oregon State University – BS Business
Commissioned 2nd Lieutentant Chemical Corps 1987
Veteran of Iraq War
Passed away June 2019
Decorations:
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal w/ Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Retired 2015 with 29 years of service
Frank Walsh
WWII Veteran, 9th Armored Division, Siegfried Line
Battle of the Bulge, Ruhr Valley
American Legion Post 65
Middle school teacher, Coos Bay, 94 Years Old
Lt. Col. Jerry Ward
ROTC, University of Texas; Vietnam Veteran; Bronze Star
ROTC, Oregon State University; Assistant Professor of Military Science
Assistant Athletic Director, Oregon State University
Rotary President, 1997
Military Officers Association, Corvallis Chapter
Passed away August 17, 2013
LtCol (Retired) Nolan “Pat” Williams
Served on Guam, WWII Veteran
OSC (Now OSU) Under GI Bill
Graduated 1952 with ROTC Commission, Air Force
BS Degree in Physics
1959 – Masters in Meteorology
Served as Air Force Meteorologist
Vietnam Veteran
Retired US Air Force 1974
Substitute Teacher for 6 years after retirement
1982-2012 – Taught swimming & diving in Redmond, OR
Still enjoys racquetball
Col. Robert (Bob) Wray
Commissioned US Marine Corps, 1943
Fighter Pilot, WWII
Company Commander, Korean War
Two Silver Stars, Korean War
Vietnam Veteran
Commanding Officer, NROTC, Oregon State University