The Army Scholarship Foundation announced today the award of twenty two scholarships to children of United States Army soldiers and veterans and to spouses of active duty enlisted soldiers. Scholarships for the upcoming 2013-2014 academic year were awarded to deserving Army family members as follows:

The Captain Jennifer Schafer-Odom Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Chad Thompson of Campbellsburg, IN. Chad is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Thompson of Campbellsburg. Mr. Thompson served as a field artillery Specialist separating at Fort Campbell, KY. Chad will enter Purdue University majoring in pre-medicine in the fall. Jennifer Shafer Odom grew up on a dairy farm in Knoxville, Maryland. After graduating first in her class at Brunswick High School, she entered the U.S. Military Academy and graduated as a member of the Class of 1992. She became an Army aviator and served tours of duty in both the United States and Europe, where she supported both the Kurdish refugee and Bosnia missions. While serving with the 204th Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Bliss, TX in 1999, her aircraft was reported missing while flying intelligence and counter drug missions over Columbia, South America. She and her crew were lost.

The Lieutenant Scott Love Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Tristian Rayner of Colorado Springs Colorado. Tristian’s parents are Specialist and Mrs. David Berggren of Fort Carson, CO, where Specialist Berggren serves in the 4th Infantry Division Band. Tristan is a sophomore the University of Northern Colorado, majoring in music performance and performing arts. First Lieutenant Scott Love was killed in action in 2006 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Scott Love was an “Army brat” who was born at Fort Campbell, KY and graduated from high school in Huntsville, AL. He graduated from Florida State University in 1996 and enlisted in the US Army in 1999 as a military intelligence specialist. In 2003, he attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, and was subsequently assigned as a platoon leader with 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry stationed at Baumholder, Germany. His unit deployed to Kuwait in November 2005 with Scott’s platoon assigned as part of Task Force 1-35 Armor when he was killed at Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

The Sergeant Andrew Topham Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Joshua Neal of Helotes, TX. Joshua is the son of Sergeant Major and Mrs. Scott D. Neal. SGM Neal is currently assigned to A Company of the 264th Medical Battalion at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Joshua will enter Duke University in Durham, NC this fall, where he will major in pre-medicine. Sergeant Andrew Topham grew up in Randolph, Massachusetts near Boston. He was a highly decorated soldier, awarded the Bronze Star for service in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In addition he earned the Army Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon.

The Lieutenant General Jack Costello Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Catherine Clements of Ligonier, PA. Catherine is the daughter of Mr. Donald Clements of Ligonier who served as a Sergeant in Viet Nam. Catherine is a graduate of Ligonier Valley High School and will enter Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in the fall. LTG Jack Costello was born in Pottsville, PA and was commissioned in the Army upon graduation from the Citadel. He served in the 82d Airborne Division and in Vietnam. He commanded the 2d Battalion, 59th Air Defense Artillery, the 35th ADA Brigade, 32d Army Air Defense Command in Germany, the ADA School and Fort Bliss, Texas, and the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Upon retirement, he joined the Raytheon Company where he led Network Centric Systems Strategic Planning and Business Development operations and the company’s Improvised Explosive Device Defeat efforts.

The Colonel Urey Woodson Alexander Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Natesha Godbee of Valrico, FL. Natesha is the daughter of retired Sergeant Major and Mrs. Johnny Godbee. SGM Godbee served in combat in Iraq. Natesha was the valedictorian of Bamberg American High School in Germany and is a sophomore at the University of South Florida in Tampa where she is majoring in political science. Colonel Urey W. Alexander was commissioned upon graduation from West Point in 1940. During WWII he commanded the 386th Field Artillery Battalion throughout the war, deployed the battalion to France and fought in Belgium, Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, and into Germany in 1945. He advised the Greek Army in their civil war with the Communists in 1950, and served as U.S. Military Attaché to Poland. He commanded the 35th Artillery Group in Germany and retired as Director of Instruction from the faculty of the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Upon Army retirement, he served as Business Manager of the Dickinson College School of Law in Carlisle.

The Lieutenant Keirn C. Brown Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Jessica Bortner of Dayton, TX. She is the daughter Sergeant Janice Bortner who retired from the Texas National Guard following over 20 years of active and National Guard service. Janice is a graduate of Dayton High School and will enter Texas A&M University at Galveston in the fall. Lieutenant Keirn C. Brown grew up in Niagara County, New York, graduated from the University of Rochester, and was called to active duty with his National Guard unit in 1940. He participated in every major European Campaign including the invasion of North Africa, action at Anzio and the Colmar Pocket, and the Saarland. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant before earning a battlefield commission. After the war, he became a member of the Foreign Service and served around the world as a diplomat and senior State Department executive for over 25 years.

The Lieutenant Colonel J. Allan Green Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Taylre Moore of Fort Stewart, GA. Taylre is the son of Sergeant and Mrs. Kenneth Breshears of Fort Stewart. Sergeant Breshears is currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as a combat medic with the 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry. Taylre is a graduate of Bradwell Institute at Hinesville, GA, and will study to become a professional pilot at the University of Central Missouri. Lieutenant Colonel J. Allan Green was born in 1926 and died in 2011 in Austin, Texas. He joined the Army as a private in 1944 during World War II. He later completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Armor branch. He served in the Korean War as a First Lieutenant, where he was wounded and for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. He also served in Vietnam in 1970. LTC Green retired from the Army in 1972 after 28 years of service. Two years after retiring from the Army he entered the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin and upon completion of his studies was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church.

The Perot Family Honorary Scholarship was awarded to Friedrich Sala II of Wahiawa, HI. Friedrich is the son of Specialist and Mrs. Friedrich Sala of Wahiawa. Specialist Sala is serving with the 209th Aviation Support Battalion in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, HI. Friedrich will enter Norwich University in Northfield, VT in the fall where he will major in political science. The Perot Family and the Hillwood Corporation, which is a Perot Family Enterprise headquartered in Dallas, are strong supporters of the U.S. military and of Army families. They are dedicated to assisting our military members and to promoting educational opportunities for Army family members.

The KBR Honorary Scholarship is awarded to Ryan A. Bernal of San Antonio, TX. Ryan is the son of Sergeant Pete Bernal, who is serving on active duty with the 157th Quartermaster Company at Fort Hood, TX. Ryan graduated from Southwest High School in San Antonio and will enter Trinity University in the fall. KBR is headquartered in Houston, TX. KBR is a leading global engineering, construction, and services company supporting the government services, energy, petrochemicals, and civil infrastructure sectors. The company employs over 50,000 people worldwide in locations that include Australia, Africa, the UK, Asia, and the Middle East. KBR has built a proud history and a leading market position in the government infrastructure (G&I) sector by being a low-cost, high-efficiency, and absolutely reliable provider. Not only is KBR the largest contractor for the United States Army and a top-ten contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense, it is currently the world’s largest defense services provider.

The BAE Systems Honorary Scholarship was is awarded to Taylor Curry of Vicenza, Italy. Taylor’s father, Master Sergeant Michael S. Curry, Jr. was killed in action on 23 July 2007 while serving in combat in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry of the 173d Airborne Brigade. Taylor remained in Vicenza with his mother and brother while attending and graduating from Vicenza High School. Taylor is a sophomore at Columbia University in New York City. BAE Systems is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The company provides support and service solutions for current and future defense, intelligence, and civilian systems, and designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of electronic systems and subsystems for both military and commercial applications. They also design, develop, produce, and provide service support of armored combat vehicles, artillery systems and intelligent munitions.

The Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Honorary Scholarship is awarded to Jennifer Stawski of Junction City, KS. Jennifer’s father, Tom Stawski, retired from the Army as a staff sergeant following over twenty years service including combat operations in Desert Storm. Jennifer is a sophomore at Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, KS where she is majoring in youth ministry and athletic training. Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, headquartered in Redondo Beach, California, is an approximately $10 billion business and is a premier provider of manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, and advanced technologies critical to our nation’s security.

The USAA Foundation Honorary Scholarship was awarded to Maria Decastro of Fort Hood, TX. Maria is the spouse of Staff Sergeant Damian Decastro who is assigned to B Company, CR Darnell Army Medical Center at Fort Hood. Mrs. Decastro is a junior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at Belton, TX majoring in nursing. The USAA Foundation is proud to be able to provide this scholarship support and assist Mrs. Decastro in pursuing her nursing degree.

The Fluor Corporation Honorary Scholarships were awarded to 10 Army family member students. For more than 100 years, Fluor has partnered with clients to design, build, and maintain many of the world’s most challenging and complex capital projects. Through its global network, Fluor’s 41,000 employees provide comprehensive capabilities and world-class expertise in engineering, procurement, construction and operations, maintenance, and project management. Today, the company serves a global client base in the energy, chemicals, government, industrial, infrastructure, operations and maintenance, manufacturing and life sciences, mining, power, and transportation sectors. Under contract to the U.S. Army, Fluor provides military support services to the men and women of the Armed Forces who are currently serving in Afghanistan. Fluor Corporation Honorary Scholarships were awarded to:

Esperanza Ballenilla of Fort Lewis, WA. Esperanza is the spouse of Specialist Juan Monet-Martinez who is assigned to the 42d Military Police Brigade at Fort Lewis. Esperanza is a senior at the University of Washington where she is majoring in social welfare.

Zidisha Dambuza of Grovetown, GA. Zidisha is the daughter of Master Sergeant M. A. Dambuza and is a senior at the University of Georgia studying sociology and fashion merchandising. Her father is a single parent and widower who retired from the Army as a First Sergeant in 2005.

Kelsey Hobart of Naples, NY. Kelsey’s father, Corporal Michael Hobart, died on active duty at Fort Drum, NY in 2005. Kelsey is a senior at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ where she is studying forensic psychology.

Paul Hossenlopp of Belton, TX. Paul is the son of Colonel and Mrs Paul Hossenlopp. Colonel Hossenlop is on active duty with the Army Garrison at Fort Sill, OK. Paul is a sophomore at the University of Texas majoring in radio, television and film.

Anastasiya Melnik of Vicenza, Italy. Anastasiya is the spouse of Specialist Jason Ware who is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503d Airborne Combat Team in Vicenza. Anastasiya is a junior majoring in psychology at the University of Maryland.

Brandon Pettitt of Colorado Springs, CO. Brandon is the son of Captain and Mrs Raymond Pettitt. Captain Pettitt is a chaplain at Fort Carson, CO. Brandon is a junior at the University of Colorado studying communications.

Marilyn Skeens of Clarksville, TN. Marilyn is the spouse of Specialist Justin Skeens who is assigned to the 3d Battalion, 320th Field Artillery of the 101st Airborne Division. Marilyn is a senior at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville majoring in health care management.

Jessica Slone of Godfrey, IL. Jessica is the spouse of Sergeant First Class Lonnie Slone. SFC Slone is assigned to the U.S. Army Recruiting Company in Fairview Heights, IL. Jessica is a sophomore at Lewis & Clark Community College majoring in nursing.

Cynthia Stinnett of Clarksville, TN. Cynthia is the spouse of Staff Sergeant Clint Stinnett of Fort Campbell, KY. SFC Stinnett is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Cynthia is a senior at Austin Peay State University at Clarksville majoring in accounting.

Lauren Woodard of Nashville, TN. Lauren is the spouse of Sergeant Andrew Woodard who is assigned to the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Training Detachment at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. Laruen is a senior at Liberty University of Lynchburg, VA studying psychology.

The Army Scholarship Foundation was founded in 2001 by concerned Army veterans who desired to continue their service to the Nation and to support and assist families of Army soldiers. The Army Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to deserving sons and daughters of US Army soldiers and Army veterans, as well as to spouses of serving active duty enlisted soldiers. The Foundation is sustained by the generous donations of its supporters. Tax deductible donations can be sent to the Army Scholarship Foundation, 1700 Preston Road, Suite 660-301, Dallas, Texas 75230 or be made on this web site.