Scholarship Hall of Fame

We're proud to have helped out so many young, ambitious people. If you are a proud family member or friend of one of the many recipients of the Gamewardens Scholarship, please send your story & photos to be featured here to Larry Bissonnette.

1979

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT - Mike Languell of Tarboro (second from left), has won the 1979 annual scholarship awarded by the Gamewardens of Vietnam Association, headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA. The group is composed of veterans of the U.S. Navy's River Patrol Force (Task Force 116) and served in the Republic of Vietnam in Operation Gamewarden from 1966 to 1971. Languell's father, Ret. Cmdr. Fred Longuell (left) has been a member of the Gamewarden's group for several years. The younger Languell will enter N.C. State University this fall and plans to major in nuclear engineering. Presenting the scholarship check is LT Cliff Clifton, accompanied by YNCS John Williams.

Update 2001 - My son Mike received what I think was one of the very early scolarship awards in 1979. He has gone on to graduate from NCSU, University of Tenn Space Institute and finally receiving his Phd in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. I feel it was an award that was not wasted.
Fred Languell

1977

Lisa Harrelson of Tyler Texas, daughter of J.T. Harrelson MST-4 1969.

1982

Yvonne D. Maness North Carolina State University

1986

High School Senior: Lance A. Hayden of Naples, Italy, son of RMCM Thomas E. Hayden, USN, 511, 12/71 – 3/73

High School Senior: John C. Darrohn of Bartlett, TN, step-son of GMCS Jack M. Fogel, USN(Ret), 131/132/151/152, 12/69-9/70

Alternate High School: Edward B. Rozier of Chesapeake, VA, son of AOCS W.B. Rozier, USN(Ret) 543/521/HC Dets 25, 27, 28 66-67

College: Linh P. Barclay of Virginia Beach, VA, daughter of OS1 Jon Barclay, NAVFORV, 67-69 (Ex-PN2)

College Alternate: Gregory J. Ullrich of Waukesha, WI, son of CDR James M. Ullrich, USN, NSAD Ben Luc, 2/70-3/71

1987

College: Linh P. Barclay of Jensen Beach, FL, daughter of OS1 Jon Barclay, NAVFORV

High School Senior: Erin P. Keenan of Virginia Beach, VA, daughter of CAPT Richard Keenan, HAL-3

High School Senior: *Frank McIlveen of Coldwater, KS, son of BM1 William H. McIlveen, MINDIV 113

High School Senior: Jodi Longobaroo of Morrisville, PA, daughter of Vincent J. Longobaroo, 513/515

Alternate, College: Erin M. Laipply of Port Charlotte, FL, daughter of LCDR Charles T. Laipply, 521

Alternate High School: Michaele Mixner of Virginia Beach, VA, daughter of CDR Frank L. Mixner, HAL-3

1988

College: Linh P. Barclay of Jensen Beach, FL, daughter of OS1 Jon Barclay, NAVFORV

High School Senior: Robert Sternfels of Lodi, CA, son of Robert B. Sternfels (Ex-LTJG) HCU-1

High School Senior: *Stephanie Willett of Virginia Beach, VA, daughter of LT John W. Willett, USN HAL-3

Alternate College: None

Alternate High School: Timothy Benish of Orange Park, FL, son of LT Roger W. Benish, USN(Ret) HAL-3

1989

College: Jason Sullivan of Goose Creek, SC, son of BMCM William A. Sullivan, PCF-70 5/66-5/67

High School Senior: Louis Vernon Pinkham of San Diego, CA, son of MR1 Louis Pinkham, USS Hunterdon County (LST)

High School Senior: Christina McKenna of Middleboro, MA, daughter of E4 James F. McKenna, RivDiv 554 68-69

1990

College Continuing: Christina McKenna of Middleboro, MA, daughter of E4 James F. McKenna, RivDiv 554 68-69

High School Senior: Beverly C. Langevin of Totowa, NJ, daughter of CTR2 Robert R. Langevin, Phu Bai

High School Senior: Catherine E. Sternfels of Lodi, CA, daughter of LTjg Robert B. Sternfels, HCU-1, 69-70

CAPT Sabine Award: Dawn M. Ellis, daughter of GMCS Alvin K. Ellis, RivSec 511 66-67

1994

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT – I was fortunate enough to be a recipient of a Gamewardens of Vietnam scholarship back in 1994. I was extremely grateful for being chosen, and the scholarship helped take care of my senior year expenses at the University of Maryland. I completed my B.A. in Technology and Management in December of 1994, and then spent the next year or so getting humbled in the job market. After a few different jobs - some successful, some not - I finally began working as a contractor in the Analysis and Reporting section at the Joint Training, Analysis and Simulation Center in Suffolk, VA in early 1996. This facility supported large-scale military exercises via modeling and simulations. After fourteen months there I relocated up to northern Virginia, where I began working for Booz-Allen & Hamilton Inc., supporting missile defense for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO). I have been with the firm for just over four years, and I'm currently working for program management on the National Missile Defense program under BMDO.

In March of this year I completed my M.S. degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. While in northern Virginia I met my wonderful wife Bridget, and we were married in Barbados in January 1999. We just celebrated the birth of our first child - Jessica - one month ago, and I am very much looking forward to spending quality time with our precious gift.

I always loved attending the Gamewarden reunions each summer at Little Creek Amphibious base in Tidewater VA. Not only was there plenty of good food and drink, but I got to crawl on and ride on PBRs. And many of the Vietnam veterans made me feel very comfortable, despite my "little person" status. My father and mother, Clarence and Evelyn Cooper, both volunteered many hours for your fine organization, which only made the honor of receiving a Gamewarden scholarship that much more special. Now that I have an opportunity to give something back, Bridget and I will be making a small donation to your scholarship fund to help continue the wonderful work your group does each year.

Thank you for showing confidence in me, and God bless.
Eric Cooper

*$500.00 Annual Scholarships made available by Captain Frederick R. Sabine, USN, and administered by Gamewardens Association. We are grateful for this tremendous support from Commodore Sabine.

The Scholarship Fund is available to all these students and more, thanks to generous donations from our members. If you would like to help keep this available, click here to donate.

1999

College: Gary D. Grassi, Jr. Gary started at Virginia Tech in August 1999 and graduated in May 2004 with a BS in Biology. He was Commissioned as an Army 2Lt on May 14, 2004 and branched to the Medical Service Corps. He will start his active Duty assignment in January 2005. Good Luck Gary!

2003

College: Emily Justice, daughter of Averille Justice of VAL-4 to Wright State University